2 bounce-back starters KC Royals should consider, 1 to avoid

KC should look up one of Bieber's former teammates, Mike Clevinger

The suggestion that the Royals could consider signing Mike Clevinger may seem odd — or even ill-advised — but there would be method to what some might consider madness.

Clevinger's eight-year big-league career has included some pretty good seasons, especially when he pitched with Bieber in Cleveland for almost three years. It was during that time Clevinger won 13 games twice in a row (2018 and 2019). He also won 12 in 2017, the year before Bieber broke in.

He's also posted sub-4.00 ERAs five times, and his career 3.51 mark isn't bad. Although Clevinger isn't overpowering, he's displayed decent control most of his career — and he knows how to pitch.

Clevinger's downside is, of course, the health issues that have nagged him since he lost all of the 2021 season to the Tommy John Surgery he underwent after the 2020 campaign. He then missed the first month of 2022 with a knee sprain, before a triceps injury put him back on the Injured List for almost a month, and right wrist and biceps inflammation cut into his 2023 campaign with the Chicago White Sox. In 2024, elbow inflammation and late-season neck surgery limited him to just four starts.

So why gamble on Clevinger? Because pitcher reclamation projects are nothing new to the Royals, who at least temporarily turned around Trevor Rosenthal and Greg Holland in the late stages of their careers. Bringing Clevinger aboard wouldn't be a venture into uncharted waters.

He also gave the White Sox two decent seasons, going 7-7 with a 4.23 ERA in 2022 and 9-9, 3.77 in 2023 before injuries wrecked his 2024.

Plus, he'd come cheap. His recent injury history alone means he could be had for less than the $3 million he earned this season. Picollo should at least kick the tires on Clevinger.

Who shouldn't the Royals explore?