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KC Royals: Signing Ryan Madson could herald Bullpen Trade

By John Viril

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Feb. 21, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA: Los Angeles Angels pitcher Ryan Madson poses for a portrait during photo day at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals signed reliever Ryan Madson to a minor-league deal Saturday morning. A former closer for the Phillies in 2011, the 34-year-old Madson has missed the last three seasons with an elbow injury.

I can’t see any real negative for the KC Royals in the deal. It’s only a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training.

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If Madson doesn’t have it in the spring, the Kansas City Royals are only out a few bucks. If he looks like he might be useful, they can stash him at AAA Omaha in case of injury. If Madson returns to form, Kansas City’s dominant bullpen has just gotten even better.

At his best, Madson was very good. In 2010, Ryan Madson put up a 2.61 ERA in 53.0 IP with 10.9 strikeouts per 9 innings (K/9) against 2.2 walks per 9 innings (BB/9). In the following season, Madson earned the closer role in Philadelphia with a 2.25 ERA in 60.2 innings, 34 saves, and a 9.2 K/9.

That’s an outstanding reliever folks. Not Greg Holland or Wade Davis great, but pretty sick if the Royals could pitch him as a 7th inning guy.

Of course, there’s a huge question what, if anything, Ryan Madson has left. He has pitched a mere single inning of High A ball since 2011 (in the Angels system in 2013).

At his best, Madson threw a mid-90’s fastball and sinker, along with a very effective changeup and good command. You have to expect that he’s lost some velocity during his injury Odyssey, but he still could be effective due to his experience and his command.

The KC Royals lose nothing letting him try.

The more interesting Royals rumors ask what does signing Ryan Madson mean in terms of potential moves. Many continue to speculate that the Kansas City Royals need to move at least one of their three dominant relievers due to their high combined cost and the typical short window of success for bullpen aces.

Madson could just be depth. Or, if he, or Luke Hochevar, or Kris Medlen show well in spring training, they could give Royals general manager Dayton Moore the confidence to sell high on either Wade Davis or Greg Holland (Kelvin Herrera is still relatively inexpensive as a first-year arbitration eligible).

While moving either Davis or Holland is possible, I doubt it happens unless the Royals land a big bat in return (say as part of a deal for Chase Utley). Dayton Moore seems well aware his contention window is open right now, and he won’t compromise the team’s ability to win in the playoffs by messing with his devastating bullpen.

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