Kansas City Royals: Way too early 2020 rotation predictions

KANSAS CITY, MO. - AUGUST 14: Kansas City Royals catcher Meibrys Viloria (72) and Royals pitching coach Cal Eldred talk to Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brad Keller (56) during a time out during a Major League Baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals on August 14, 2019, at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Brett Anderson #30 of the Oakland Athletics (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

2020 Offseason Transactions

Jonathan Loaisiga (NYY – Trade)
Jose De Leon (TB – Trade)
Brett Anderson (OAK – Free Agent)

If the Royals decide to find a trade partner this offseason for Danny Duffy a target could be the New York Yankees. The key return in a Duffy to New York trade would be Clint Frazier, but the Royals would be wise to add Jonathan Loaisiga to return offer.

If the Royals can get Loaisiga from the Yankees, they would be getting a 25-year-old (November) with nasty stuff who will get the opportunity to stick in a starting rotation with the Royals.

Jose De Leon is another trade target the Royals could get from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations. De Leon was once a top prospect, but has struggled to regain his velocity the past couple of years recovering from injury.

There is a mechanics issue with De Leon where he tends to throw the ball on a flat plane, which leads to an elevated HR/9, but if the Rays make him available this offseason the Royals should take the gamble and give him a shot.

Brett Anderson, a free agent this offseason, relies heavily on his command to generate weak contact. A pitch to contact type pitcher, Anderson could utilize the Royals defense and difficult hitting environment to his advantage. Anderson would be an upgrade to fill out the bottom half of the rotation.

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