Kansas City Royals Potential Non-Tender Targets

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Among the various needs the Kansas City Royals currently have, they need a lot of help with their pitching staff. Could some of the players that were non-tendered be a fit for the Royals?

This past Wednesday, the deadline for teams to tender a contract to those players who were eligible for arbitration passed by. Most notable players were kept, but there were a few interesting names left available. Even the Kansas City Royals allowed an intriguing player to hit free agency in Greg Holland, although with the hopes that he could be brought back on a two or three year deal since he will may not pitch in 2016.

With the Royals having numerous needs throughout their pitching staff, and quite a few holes to fill on their roster, it makes sense that Dayton Moore could look for a few cost effective options to fill out the rotation and the bullpen. Such a strategy has worked over the past few years, with players like Edinson Volquez, Ryan Madson and Kris Medlen among the multitude of hits for Moore and the Royals front office.

Fortunately, there are quite a few players available who, for various reasons, could fit into that category of being potential bargains for a thrifty general manager. So, let us take a look at a few pitchers that could fit the Royals, be it in the starting rotation or in relief.

Next: A solid lefty reliever

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Steve Cishek

The Kansas City Royals, over the past few seasons, have been in the enviable position of having multiple relievers that would likely be able to close on other teams. They could add to that stable of potential closers with Steve Cishek, the former closer of the Marlins.

In 2013 and 2014, Cishek was one of the better closers in the National League. Using his sidearm delivery and relying primarily upon his sinker and curve to generate ground balls, Cishek had a 2.73 ERA and a 1.141 WHiP, notching 73 saves while striking out 158 batters in 135 innings. Then, the wheels fell off last season. Cishek was removed from the closer role early in the season and struggled for the Marlins, posting a 2-6 record with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.594 WHiP. This was not the pitcher the Marlins had come to expect.

Traded to the Cardinals, it seemed as though Cishek turned his season around. In his 27 games in St. Louis, he posted a 2.31 ERA and a 1.329 WHiP, striking out 20 batters in 23.1 innings. However, Cishek continued to struggle with his command, walking 13 batters.

Should a team manage to get Cishek to harness his stuff once again, they could have a longer term piece for the bullpen. Theoretically under control until 2018, Cishek could be a low cost option for a team looking for more than a one year reclamation project.

Another ground ball pitcher, Steve Cishek could be a nice fit for the Kansas City Royals. Without having to even be the primary setup man, he could work his way back into form and help the Royals rebuild a dominant bullpen.

Next: Another former closer

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Neftali Feliz

There was a time when Neftali Feliz appeared to be on the verge of being one of the top young closers in the American League. As a 22 year old in 2010, Feliz made the All-Star team and was named the AL Rookie of the Year. In that two year run of 2010 and 2011, Feliz posted 72 saves with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.010 WHiP, striking out 125 batters in 131.2 innings.

Then came the Rangers ill-fated attempt to convert Feliz into a starter in 2012. He lasted all of eight games before needing Tommy John surgery, then did not make a real return to the majors until July 4, 2014. He pitched well in his return, posting a 1.99 ERA and a 0.979 WHiP while returning to to closer role, and appeared ready to pick up where he left off.

Unfortunately for Feliz, the wheels fell off last season. He lost his closer spot for the Rangers, and after posting a 4.56 ERA and a 1.678 WHiP, he was released. Signed by the Tigers the next day, Feliz was even worse in Detroit, with a 7.62 ERA and a 1.482 WHiP.

At only 27 years old, Feliz still has the potential to be a solid reliever. His fastball velocity was higher than it had been since 2012 last season, and his command was right at his career average. In fact, it appears as though Feliz was done in by the batted ball, as he allowed a .357 batting average on balls in play. With a career mark at .243, some regression was to be expected, but a difference of over 110 points likely was not.

Feliz’s struggles could well have been a matter of the defense behind him. With the Kansas City Royals defense, and the spacious grounds of Kauffman Stadium, Feliz could get back to being the pitcher he had been before. At what would be a low cost investment, he would be worth the risk.

Next: How healthy is he?

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Mike Minor

Let’s go back to September 20, 2014. That was the last time that Mike Minor threw a pitch, as he lasted only one inning in his final start for the Atlanta Braves. He had shoulder issues that sidelined him on three different occasions in 2014, and missed all of last season after surgery on his shoulder. However, that most recent surgery is said to have cleared up the mystery of what had been causing his injury woes.

When healthy, Minor has been a solid middle of the rotation starter. Throughout his career, he posted a 38-36 record with a 4.10 ERA and a 1.266 WHiP, striking out 566 batters against 187 walks in 65.2 innings of work. His injury issues in 2014 likely contributed to his less than stellar season, as Minor had a 6-12 record with a 4.77 ERA and a 1.438 WHiP.

An extreme fly ball pitcher, who has had a roughly 2:1 fly ball to ground ball ratio in his career, Minor would benefit from playing for the Kansas City Royals. With their focus on defense, and the spacious grounds of Kauffman Stadium, Minor could potentially see a rebound in performance, turning into another Jason Vargas.

The key with Mike Minor is how healthy his shoulder is. Should everything truly be back to normal, and he is ready to pitch in 2016, Minor could be a great buy-low option. With two years of team control, he could be a nice fit at the back of the Royals rotation.

Next: A former All-Star ready to blossom

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Henderson Alvarez

Just a year ago, it appeared as though Henderson Alvarez was about to break out. Acquired by the Marlins prior to the 2013 season, Alvarez thrived in his second year in Miami, posting a 12-7 record with a 2.65 ERA and 1.235 WHiP, striking out 111 batters in 187 innings. Even if his strikeout rate was not what one would want for an ace, Alvarez appeared set to develop into an excellent second starter.

Last season, however, was a disaster. Hindered by shoulder woes and a torn labrum, Alvarez made only four starts, losing each contest while posting a 6.45 ERA and a 1.567 WHiP. The recovery from his torn labrum is expected to last into the upcoming season, but not long enough to be a hindrance for interested teams.

Alvarez, who is set to turn 26 just after the season begins, could be ready to return to form. A ground ball pitcher who has the potential to not only eat innings but to also develop into a top of the rotation option, Alvarez could be another solid option for the Kansas City Royals. A potential low cost option who could slot between Edinson Volquez and either Danny Duffy or Kris Medlen as the third starter, Alvarez could be the perfect solution as the Royals seek to fill out their rotation.

Next: Should Royals Chase Cliff Lee?

Just last year, Henderson Alvarez appeared to be a building block for the Marlins. Now, once he returns, he could be a solid fit in the Royals rotation.