KC Royals: Free Agent Pitchers to Target During Offseason
The KC Royals have one more spot in their rotation that they need to address. Could they look to free agency to fill that hole?
The starting pitching for the KC Royals was up and down during the 2016 season. With an original rotation of Edinson Volquez, Chris Young, Yordano Ventura, Ian Kennedy, and Kris Medlen, the Royals found themselves down early in a lot of games due to their starters struggling.
Young and Medlen went on the disabled list in May, which led to Danny Duffy and Dillon Gee both being pushed into the rotation. Duffy has excelled since returning to the rotation and Gee has been meh.
The Royals will likely have a 2017 rotation that looks like Duffy, Ventura, Kennedy and Jason Vargas, but who will be their fifth pitcher to join the rotation?
Let’s take a look at some free agent options this offseason.
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Jeremy Hellickson
Jeremy Hellickson is probably the top name in free agent starting pitchers this offseason, which is kind of sad. With a career ERA of 3.87, Hellickson isn’t a bad starter by any means, but he’s definitely not worth the amount of money he’ll likely demand in free agency.
Hellickson had a nice season for the Phillies in 2016, tossing over 180 innings with a 3.57 ERA. It was one of his best seasons since he debuted in the majors in 2010.
Many thought that Hellickson would be traded during the deadline, but he stayed put in Philadelphia. He has a 12-9 record with the Phillies this season.
While it’d be cool for the Royals to go after Hellickson, it won’t happen. He’s going to demand more money than the Royals would be willing to pay.
Pass.