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Kansas City Royals: Way too early 2020 rotation predictions

By Cody Rickman

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)
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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Daniel Hudson #44 of the Washington Nationals (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Daniel Hudson #44 of the Washington Nationals (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2020 Offseason Transactions

This offseason is the opportunity the Royals need to take advantage of to rebuild their bullpen for future competitive teams. The Royals could take a chance on the recovering Arodys Vizcaino in the hopes of him finding his form as a late inning reliever.

Daniel Hudson, if he performs well for the Washington Nationals this postseason, may price himself out of the Royals market and could also be a late inning relief improvement for the roster. Hudson has taken over the closer role with his 98+ mph fastball and plus slider with the Nationals.

Francis Martes is on the recovery path from injury and suspension and the Houston Astros will have a 40-man roster crunch this offseason and look to part with the one-time prospect. The Royals could take advantage of the Astro’s position and give Martes time and patience to get back to an MLB roster. Martes has the potential to make it back into a starting rotation and has the potential to be a dominate closer.

Domingo Acevedo has struggled with injuries in the New York Yankees system and was released from the roster this season. The Yankees signed him to a minor league contract, which will be make him available as a minor league free agent this offseason. Acevedo when healthy brings a big fastball and plus change-up to bullpen.

Future:

Zuber and Tillo bring 96+ mph fastballs out of the pen with quality off-speed offerings. Zuber is nearly MLB ready and reminds me a lot of Greg Holland.

Daniel Tillo will be given every chance to be a starting pitching option, but he’s seen a dramatic spike in velocity with a move to the pen where his control isn’t as well exposed. Tad Ratliff has been one of the most consistent bullpen arms in the farm system and has continued to put of exceptional numbers at each stop he’s made.

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