Kansas City Royals: Best free agent signings under Dayton Moore

BEST DAYTON MOORE FREE AGENTS – NUMBER 7: MIKE MINOR

Mike Minor was a first-round pick by the Atlanta Braves back in 2009, but injuries had really plagued his career. He was actually out of baseball after 2014, but the Royals took a chance on him by inking him to a two-year deal in 2016.

Minor wouldn’t see any major league action in 2016, but he became the best reliever in the Royals bullpen in 2017. Minor pitched in 65 games (and for the first time in his career, did not start a single game that season), throwing 77.2 innings for an ERA worth 2.55 and a WHIP of 1.017.

The bullpen wasn’t a strong point for the Royals in 2017, but Minor was one of the few guys who fans felt comfortable with whenever he’d come running out. The Royals revived his career after Minor looked dead in the water as a major league pitcher, so it was cool to see him get another opportunity elsewhere.

Minor’s 2.62 FIP and 88 strikeouts (to 22 walks) was enough to catch the eye of other teams this offseason, as he signed a deal with the Rangers. Minor spent the next three seasons with the Rangers and Athletics and re-signed with the Royals for the 2021 season.

Though he only saw one year of action on the mound in his first stint as a Royal, Mike Minor was still a great signing by Dayton Moore.