Kansas City Royals: Bargain Rotation Targets

Apr 12, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez (37) looks on from the dugout during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Henderson Alvarez

Henderson Alvarez was the Opening Day pitcher in 2015 for the Miami Marlins. This winter, Miami non-tendered Alvarez due to injury.

Still just 25-years-old, a healthy Henderson Alvarez oozes with promise. Alvarez combines a sinker with a mid-90’s fastball in a lethal combination. In 2014, the 24-year-old was an NL All-Star with a 12-7 record and 2.65 ERA in 187.0 innings.

Unfortunately, his 2015 season rapidly turned into a disaster with two stints on the disabled list followed by season-ending shoulder surgery. While the Marlins would like to have him back, Alvarez is not expected to return to the mound until mid-season. Perhaps Dayton Moore would be wise to convince Henderson Alvarez such a return should happen in Kansas City rather than South Beach.

Henderson Alvarez certain has one big vote on the KC Royals. Fellow Venezuelan Salvador Perez tweeted:

When your prospective backstop see you as the Comeback Player of the Year, it can’t be a bad thing, right? The beauty of Alvarez is he’s still a young pitcher. If he recovers, he figures to be a long-term solution that could combine with Yordano Ventura at the top of the Kansas City Royals rotation for years to come.

Next: Doug Fister