Kansas City Royals: Eight bold predictions for 2020 season

Bold Prediction No. 6: Trevor Rosenthal AND Greg Holland Have Positive Seasons

Two of the more intriguing acquisitions by the Royals this offseason were signing a couple of relievers looking to reignite their careers.

One is Greg Holland, a former Royals closer, the second “H” in the famed, seemingly ancient “HDH” bullpen from 2013-2015. Back in 2007, the Royals selected Holland in the 10th round out of Western Carolina.

At age 24, he debuted in the majors. He made back-to-back All-Star Games in 2013 and 2014 while getting some Cy Young love both seasons. An injury derailed his 2015, and he missed all of the following season.

Since his return in 2017, things have gone…not well. He resurfaced with the Rockies, making the All-Star Game yet again, but things start dipping in that season’s second half. He left for free agency, and didn’t sign with the Cardinals until the very end of March in 2018.

That marriage lasted all of 32 games as the Cardinals released him after he put up a 7.92 ERA and a 4.56 FIP with a 2.24 WHIP in just 25 innings. He pitched much better with the Nationals to end the year (0.84 ERA, 2.97 FIP, 0.891 WHIP in over 21 innings), but his 2019 season with the Diamondbacks ended in August with his release.

Trevor Rosenthal is a former Cardinals closer who saved 93 games over 2014 and 2015 before struggling the next two seasons and losing his role. He missed all of 2018 due to injury, and split last year between the Nationals and Tigers, pitching a total of 15.1 innings to the tune of a 13.50 ERA, 6.87 FIP, and 2.413 WHIP.

This might be my most optimistic prediction, but I expect both of these guys to have positive seasons in 2020. That could mean a number of things, of course, from making the Major League team and posting decent numbers to providing solid leadership and advice to the team’s young pitchers.

And, possibly, one or the other (or both) could be dealt down the line for players who could make a more lasting impact.

In, let’s say, 2023, these signings will be reflected upon favorably.