Kansas City Royals: 3 veteran pickups that secured the 2015 World Series

An unlikely veteran pitcher not known for his lively arm became a strikeout machine in the playoffs.

Despite a nice season with Mariners where he started 29 games, won 12 and was awarded the AL Comeback Player of the Year, the market was not hot for Chris Young. The Royals signed him for a song and dance at $675k, almost a 50% cut from his previous year.

He had a history of success winning more games than he lost in eight out of ten seasons and being selected to an All-Star game in 2007. Injuries started to take their toll and prior to ’14 he had not participated in a full season since ’07.

All Young did was provide stability in both the rotation and long relief starting 18 games and appearing in another 16. His WHIP of 1.086 was a personal best in any season where he appeared in more than four games. Batters only collected 83 hits in 123 1/3 innings and he reeled off 11 wins.

In the playoffs Young really shined, starting two games and coming in two others for relief. Just shy of 16 innings, he struck out 18 hitters and only allowed five earned runs. He picked a victory in the Mets series and at 36 years of age gave the Royals a much needed veteran presence.

While he would come crashing back down to earth the next year, there is no doubt Young was a piece of the puzzle Kansas City was missing for 2015.