Kansas City Royals: Offseason trade targets from NL West

San Diego Padres

Travis Radke, LHP Relief Pitcher

Travis Radke, the 26-year-old (27 in March), left-handed relief pitcher has put together exceptional back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019.

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Radke pitched effectively at four different stops in 2018 (A, A+, AA, and AAA) and three different stops in 2019 (A+, AA, and AAA). He has pitched 150.1 innings with a 2.27 ERA, 1.171 WHIP, and 167 Ks between 2018 and 2019.

Radke features a pitching arsenal of an 87-88 mph fastball, 70-75 mph curveball, and 77-81 mph changeup from an overhand release that allows him to mimic each of the pitch types well. His fastball has some cutter action to it, which is tough on both righties and lefties.

His change-up has excellent drop and fade for an effective pitch against right handed hitters. When he locates his fastball high and curveball below the strike zone, he is very effective.

In an absolutely loaded Padres organization, a relief pitcher like Radke gets forgotten. Radke has climbed the system quickly and has been very effective late inning reliever the past two seasons. The Padres won’t be able to put him on their 40-man roster this offseason making him available in the Rule 5 draft.

Possible trade offer: Cash Considerations or player to be named later

Conclusion

The Royals could use each one of these players to improve their roster for 2020 and beyond. These players exhibit the qualities and potential to be market inefficiencies an organization like the Royals need to take advantage of being a small market team with limited resources to add roster help via free agency.