Tim Collins Does Not Have a Role Going Forward

Until Brandon Finnegan took over in September, left handed relief pitching was a problem for the Royals last season. Francisley Bueno, Tim Collins and Scott Downs attempted to fill the role, each with varying degrees of success. However, none of those pitchers truly took hold of the job, leaving a void in the Royals otherwise solid bullpen until Finnegan arrived on the scene.

Now, the Royals have a decision to make with Collins. Eligible for arbitration for the first time, Collins is likely to seek a pay raise from the $1.3625 Million he received last season. On the surface, his numbers would appear to be worth that, as Collins managed a 3.86 ERA and a 1.381 WHiP, which is certainly not bad for a middle reliever.

Yet, there are concerns with Tim Collins. His walk rate has continued to climb over the past three years, as he ended with 4.7 walks per nine innings last year. Meanwhile, Collins has seen a precipitous drop in his strikeout rate, going from 12 per nine innings in 2012 to a mere 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings last year. Yes, Collins has managed to avoid giving up hits, with a career mark under 8 per nine innings, but that is almost entirely erased by that walk total.

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There are other concerns with Collins as well. For someone who would be expected to get left handed hitters out, he did not have much success against them. For the season, lefties hit at a .273/.346/.364 clip off of Collins, as he turned each hitter into an approximation of Dustin Pedroia. Yes, Collins only gave up two doubles for those extra base hits last year to lefties, but he still gave up far too many hits for someone who is supposed to be able to shut down that side of the plate.

If Tim Collins is unable to do what he ostensibly is a member of the bullpen to do, handle left handed hitters, then it would seem as though he does not have a true role next season. Depending on what happens with the starting rotation, Brandon Finnegan could fill in as the Royals primary lefty out of the bullpen. Is it truly worth it for the Royals to then spend approximately $1.5 Million on a pitcher who may get action twice a week in low leverage situations?

Without a real spot for Collins in the bullpen, and with other problems to fix on the roster, it may be that the Royals choose to let him walk in free agency. If there is one true skill that Dayton Moore has displayed at the major league level, it is his ability to consistently generate a solid bullpen. Collins, who was slightly better than replacement level with his 105 ERA+, just does not appear to be worth the expenditure.

Tim Collins, the little lefty, may well be a fan favorite in Kansas City. However, just because he is a fan favorite does not mean that he has a defined role this season. Collins may be better off being non-tendered by the Royals.

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