Kansas City Royals Trade Targets – Left Handed Relievers

Last season, the Kansas City Royals bullpen put together a 2.55 ERA, the lowest on an American League team since the Oakland A’s back in 1990. The success of the bullpen was a major part in the Royals posting their best season since 1989.

This season, however, the bullpen has not been nearly as effective. While Greg Holland has still been one of the best closers in baseball and Wade Davis has been nothing short of spectacular, the only other reliable reliever thus far has been Kelvin Herrera. Francisley Bueno has pitched well, but has dealt with injury problems and his 3.9 K/9 does not exactly inspire confidence that he will be able to continue to pitch at this level.

However, Bueno is the only lefty that the Royals have that has pitched even decently. Tim Collins is in AAA after posting a 4.15 ERA and a 1.558 WHiP. Neither Justin Marks nor Donnie Joseph impressed during their one game with the Royals, and both were sent packing for monetary considerations. Bruce Chen is more of a long reliever, and has not been effective this year either.

Given that possible deficiency in the bullpen, the Royals could look to add another left handed reliever before the trade deadline. Here are a few possible trade candidates that the Royals could take a look at.

Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Miller – Boston Red Sox

Miller burst to national attention as a top pitching prospect as a starter, being one of the keys to the trade that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Florida Marlins to the Detroit Tigers. Instead of turning into that top of the rotation starter that he was expected to be, Miller flopped. Eventually, he was sent to the Boston Red Sox, who turned Miller into a reliever.

In the bullpen, Miller has thrived. Since the start of the 2012 season, he has produced a 6-9 record with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.175 WHiP. In 103 innings, Miller has struck out 152 batters against 47 walks. As good as Miller has been against lefties over his career, he has been a force this season. Lefties have only hit at a .149/.216/.234 batting line against Miller, striking out 25 times in 47 at bats.

If the Royals were to acquire Miller, he could be retained for the 2015 season as well. Miller is arbitration eligible for the third time after this season, making him more than a possible rental for a playoff chase.

Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Outman – Cleveland Indians

It is difficult to think that a pitcher with a 3.28 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 24.2 innings of work would not be a vital part of a team’s bullpen. However, Josh Outman was outrighted by the Cleveland Indians a week ago. While Outman has been able to strike hitters out and has allowed only 22 hits, he has also walked 16 batters leading to a 1.541 WHiP. Suffice to say that he has been an adventure on the mound.

While those numbers are far from stellar, Outman could still be of interest to the Royals as a lefty specialist. This season, left handed batters are only hitting at a .180/.293/.380 rate against Outman. The three home runs that he has given up to lefties in 50 at bats are troublesome, but Outman would likely benefit from pitching in Kauffman Stadium.

Currently toiling in Columbus, Josh Outman likely could be had at minimal cost, perhaps being able to be had for a lower level prospect. Like Miller, Outman is still arbitration eligible, and would be more than a one year rental should the Royals have interest in retaining his services.

Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

Wesley Wright – Chicago Cubs

Wesley Wright has already been a part of being sent to a contender, being traded from the Houston Astros to the Tampa Bay Rays on August 12th last year. Now with the Cubs, Wright has posted a 2.42 ERA and a 1.164 WHiP, striking out 17 hitters in 22.1 innings. Wright has displayed solid control, walking six batter, two intentionally.

Wright is not a power arm, with his fastball averaging 91.1 MPH this season. Instead of striking out hitters, Wright relies upon the ground ball, using his sinker to maximum effect. Wright has been effective against both lefties and righties this season, giving him value as more than just a lefty specialist. While not someone that would threaten to take over either the seventh or eighth inning role, Wright could be a ground ball specialist, someone that could come in to try to get a key double play.

Acquired for cash considerations last year, Wright may not cost more than that this season. Another pitcher with arbitration eligibility, Wesley Wright could be another reliever who would be more than a rental piece for the Royals.