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Royals Rumors: Ian Kennedy and Yovani Gallardo Talks Heating Up

By Scott Dillon

Sep 18, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (49) throws during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (49) throws during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (left) walks back to the dugout with catcher Robinson Chirinos (right) in the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game one of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (left) walks back to the dugout with catcher Robinson Chirinos (right) in the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game one of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

The Good

Yovani Gallardo has been a very reliable pitcher in this career. He’s topped 180 innings in each of his last seven seasons and carried a career ERA of 3.66. He also holds a career K/9 rate of 8.2, which says he’s good for about a strikeout per inning. He also carries a career bWAR of 20 and posted a 4.1 bWAR in 2015. To put that into comparison, Edinson Volquez posted a bWAR of 2.5 in 2015.

Gallardo is also now tested in the American League where he actually transitioned from the National League nicely. He put up a 3.42 ERA in 2015 with the Rangers, and although his K/9 rate dropped to 5/9, he was still able to rack up 13 wins.

He also carries a career bWAR of 20 and posted a 4.1 bWAR in 2015. To put that into comparison, Edinson Volquez posted a bWAR of 2.5 in 2015.

Gallardo pitched most of his Career in the NL Central for the Brewers and has a relationship with Royals skipper Ned Yost. His relationship with the coaching staff may be appealing to Gallardo along with playing for a team that should be able to contend for the next Couple of Years.

Gallardo is entering his age 30 season, but carries plenty of service time to give the Royals a nice veteran presence. Anyone that can teach Yordano Ventura a trick or two isn’t a bad add, and Gallardo could take up the mantle of mentor in Royals’ blue.

Next: The Bad?

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