Kansas City Royals Starting Rotation Needs a Savior

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Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Two months ago, I said that the Kansas City Royals starting rotation may end up being their achilles heel. Now, as we approach the All-Star break, we can remove any and all doubt.

As I sit here, the Royals boast the league’s best defensive efficiency ratio (.716), best bullpen ERA (2.03), and 2nd best team batting average (.270). Their run differential is a solid +56, and they’re still far and away the team with the fewest number of strikeouts. When it comes to starting pitching, however, they have nothing to brag about. They’re 24th in ERA (4.40), and dead last in innings pitched. The Arizona Diamondback’s rotation, which ranks 28th in innings pitched, have thrown over 30 more innings than KC’s.

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In their defense, not much has gone right when it comes to the Royals starting rotation. Guys they were totally counting on, who were instrumental to last year’s success, have all struggled and/or spent an extended amount of time on the disabled list. Chris Young, who the Royals weren’t initially sure would even make the opening day roster, has become one of the team’s best, most reliable starters. Take that for what you will.

Even if the Royals are able to get all of their original starters healthy again for the 2nd half of the season, which at this point seems unlikely, they still aren’t projected to improve a whole heck of a lot. The bottom line is this: they need to go out and get someone via a trade. Not Johnny Cueto or Cole Hamels. As nice as they’d be to have, the Royals don’t have the money or the inclination to give up big time future prospects for a half season rental. Here’s who they should target–guys who are both affordable, and could make a huge difference…

Next: The question marks

Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

Scott Kazmir

In 98.1 innings pitched this year, Kazmir has posted an ERA of 2.56, a FIP of 3.23, and a WAR of 2.4. The Athletics only owe Kazmir approximately $9 million for the remainder of the season, which (believe it or not) is within the Royals price range.

While he’d only be a half-season “rental,” Kazmir is arguably having the best season of his career in 2015. Even if he were to regress a bit from what he’s been able to accomplish so far, he’d be a guy the Royals could rely on to go out every fifth day and pitch 6-8 innings. They may have to give up a prospect or two, but it would absolutely be worth it.

Clay Buchholz

Unlike most of the other “Royal targets,” Buchholz would not be a rental! Theoretically, he’s under team control until after the 2017 season, as his current contract holds two club options for $13 and $13.5 million.

With already 110 innings pitched so far this season, Buchholz boasts a 3.27 ERA, a FIP of 2.54, and 2.4 WAR. His strikeouts are up, walks are down, and he’s in the top 20 pitchers by whiff and contact rate so far this season. Not only that, but he’s a true veteran with big-time post-season experience. Something the Royals will desperately need, should they make it back to the playoffs.

Next: The cost effective option

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Bartolo Colon

Don’t ask me why, but Colon is probably who I get most excited about, picturing in Royal blue. In addition to all he bring in terms of leadership and experience, he’s a hilarious character who would add even more personality to the Kansas City Royals already likable clubhouse.

Like Kazmir, is owed approximately $9 million for the remainder season. While he doesn’t have the velocity he did back in the day, he makes up for it with control and an exceptional ability to spot pitches at any location. This keeps walks to a minimum, but leads to more hits as he will throw strikes. Perfect for the Royals.

Colon set a Mets franchise record this year with 48 2/3 consecutive innings without a walk. The previous mark was 47 2-3, set by the one and only Bret Saberhagen in 1994. Could that be a sign from the baseball Gods? Are there baseball Gods??

My only concern is the fact that the Mets are desperate for offense this year and will likely only make a deal for a proven major league hitter. The Royals have zero of those to spare…

Next: The reality

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

There are a couple of other guys the Kansas City Royals might also consider (Mike Leake, Alex Wood, NOT Jeff Samardzija), but the three listed above are the most affordable, and would be the most effective.

It’s no secret that Dayton Moore isn’t keen on making splashy deals in the middle of a season. Due to the financial constraints, and what the organization would have to give up, he likes to do the bulk of the team-building business during the off-season. As he explained last year, when the Royals stood pat at the trade deadline,

“You can only take advantage of what’s available to you. Again, internally, we feel that this group of players are very talented, and have the ability to produce, and will produce. We didn’t feel that there was a significant upgrade for us, based on what the acquisition cost was going to be, that would vastly improve our team, or make us better to the point where we felt it was going to put us over the top.”

While that may have disappointed people at the time, he was ultimately right. This year is different, though. This year, most of our core player are playing well, and are producing at a high level. The “holes” within the team are much more obvious, and much less likely to improve on their own. There are absolutely significant upgrades out there this year, the only real question is whether or not Dayton Moore and the Glass family are going to be willing to do whatever it takes to get a deal done.

The Royals are a very good baseball team, built to “win now.” The window of opportunity for teams to “win now” is incredibly small, and can take years to recreate. The Royals should know that better than anyone.

Next: Royals Trade Targets: Tigers Edition

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