KC Royals News: Free Agency And Rotation Issues

Kansas City Royals pitcher Miguel Almonte (50) -Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Royals pitcher Miguel Almonte (50) -Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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KC Royals news this morning fixates on all of the free agency rumors and which guys will be in the Royals’ starting rotation come opening day?

While a lot of talk in Kansas City is about the Kansas City Chiefs finally winning a playoff game (and deservedly so), the Kansas City Royals are still this city’s champions. With that said, the boys in blue still have positions they need to work at upgrading or adding to – such as starting pitching.

Right now, the only two locks to be a starter in the Royals’ rotation are Yordano Ventura and Edinson Volquez. The other three starters aren’t set in stone yet.

There’s Danny Duffy, who was moved to the bullpen after struggling in the rotation last year; Kris Medlen, who joined the team midway through the season and pitched as a starter and as a reliever; Chris Young, who predominantly pitched as a starter, but spent time in the bullpen as well; and there are guys like Miguel Almonte and Kyle Zimmer, both minor league starting pitchers who could see their first opportunity in the rotation in 2016.

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It’ll be interesting to see if Dayton Moore does indeed decide to target someone – perhaps a guy like Ian Kennedy or maybe Yovani Gallardo could be options, but only time will tell. Maybe it’s time to let Almonte or Zimmer have a chance to prove themselves in the rotation.

Jason Vargas won’t be in the rotation this year due to needing Tommy John surgery and likely is going to miss the entire season. That’s the main area that hurts the Royals, because Vargas used to be a solid arm in the rotation, and now his absence leads to yet another empty spot.

Check out these KC Royals news and notes from around FanSided.com.

KC Royals: 2018 Free Agent Extension Candidates [Scott Dillon, KC Kingdom]

Kansas City Royals Miguel Almonte Deserves Look In Rotation [David Hill, Kings of Kauffman]

Royals Rumors: Is Ian Kennedy A Good Target [Scott Dillon, KC Kingdom]

KC Royals Unlikely To Surrender Draft Pick To Sign Pitcher [John Viril, Kings of Kauffman]

More from KC Kingdom

"A guy like Moore, who thinks that consistent success rests on developing prospects, isn’t going to cut his talent pipeline when viable rotation targets that will not require the KC Royals to give up their first round pick, like Cliff Lee, Mat Latos, and Tim Lincecum, are still available."

Here are other KC Royals news and notes from around the rest of the web.

The Royals are a great fit for Cliff Lee [Kevin Ruprecht, Royals Review]

Kansas City Royals Top 10 Prospects [JJ Cooper, Baseball America]

With spring training just around the corner, don’t be surprised if the Kansas City Royals sign a starting pitcher within the next few weeks.

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