Kansas City Royals: 10 free agents who would make sense in KC
By Cullen Jekel
Main Target: Shane Greene, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Here’s another pitcher that played in the American League Central for several years before getting moved. Greene, 32, pitched for the Detroit Tigers from 2015 through most of 2019 before landing with the Atlanta Braves.
With Detroit, Greene saved 32 games in 2018, but with an ERA over 5. The following season, Greene settled in, even making the All-Star team, while saving 22 games with the Tigers and one more with the Braves (who used him outside of that role).
This past season, unlike most people on this list, Greene had a fine 2020. He appeared in 28 games, pitching 27.2 innings, and finished with a 2.60 ERA, good for a 185 ERA+. His FIP was higher, though, at 3.81, but he also posted a low 1.12 WHIP.
Most concerning for this reliever, Greene’s strikeout-per-nine-innings dropped precipitously, from 10.2 in 2019 to 6.8, his lowest as a full-time reliever.
With the Royals, Greene could step into the set-up role or even the closer role, should Greg Holland once again leave in free agency.
Alternative Target: Archie Bradley, RHP, Cincinnati Reds
Bradley’s four years younger than Greene, but the 6-foot-4 righty was not tendered a contract by the Reds, a team for whom he only pitched 7.2 innings in 2020 after coming over from the Diamondbacks. It wasn’t like Bradley pitched poorly for the Reds, either: in the small sample size, he pitched very well! Definitely a target for the Royals. Probably has more upside than Greene, but could cost more.