Kansas City Royals: Making the case, Tigers free agents

Ahead of Kansas City Royals free agency, let’s take a look at the Detroit Tigers’ upcoming free agents and decide whether the team should pursue any.

As we continue the “Kansas City Royals: Making the case” series we turn our attention to American League Central rival, the Detroit Tigers. Following a nice 11 year run from 2006-2016 that saw the Tigers make two World Series’ and three other playoff appearances, tough times have fallen upon Detroit.

The Tigers record the two seasons prior to 2019 were both at 64-98, their worst since losing 119 contests back in 2003. The Royals lost 103 games this season and still finished 11.5 ahead in the standings of the team from Motown to let you know how bad it was from them.

The home run leader for Detroit was Brandon Dixon with 15; yes you read that correctly, 15.  Hard to believe on a roster with players like Miguel Cabrera and Nicholas Castellanos.  The only player with enough at-bats to qualify for rating that had an OPS+ over 100 was Castellanos at 105 and he was traded to the Chicago Cubs before the deadline.

The pitcher with the most wins was Matthew Boyd with nine and it took him 32 starts to accomplish that.  Four hurlers lost double digits in games, including Boyd, and that was led by Spencer Turnbull who posted a 3-17 record.  In his defense, Turnbull’s FIP was 3.99 so many of his losses occurred due to poor run support.

These facts may make you believe there is little value left on a time full of again veterans and young players trying to prove they belong on the big league roster.  However, as Kansas City looks to improve with a new owner and manager taking over, finding pieces that can make them competitive in 2020 is important.

Reviewing the list of free agents for Detroit per Spotrac we will take a look to see if there are any players that would be a good fit for the 2020 Kansas City Royals.

The Kansas City Royals could use some good arms in the rotation and bullpen while they work their group of young studs through the upper minors and eventually big league roster.

Tyson Ross, P

2014 and 2015 were good years for Tyson Ross as he made an All-Star game appearance and posted FIPs of 3.24 and 2.98 for the San Diego Padres. Injuries befell the starter in 2016 as his only start came on Opening Day.  He did not rebound quickly only appearing in 12 games for 2017 and was a shell of his former self.  ’18 was somewhat of a comeback year in that he did manage to start 23 games and produce back of the rotation numbers.

Trying to revive his career in Detroit last seven starts and a woeful 6.11 ERA with another injury.  Although only 32 years old and probably available for a small salary, Ross does not appear to be a piece the Kansas City Royals should add.

Verdict: Pass

Matt Moore, P

I know Kansas City fans are excited to see the name Matt Moore, but from a baseball perspective is he a good addition?  This Matt Moore made a name for himself in Tampa Bay stringing together a couple of nice seasons before suffering from the injury bug.  He then spent time with the San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers putting up unfriendly numbers.

A nice rebound seemed to be in order as during his first two starts Moore gave up zero runs, struck out nine and only allowed one walk and three hits.  However, he left the second start with a torn meniscus and that cost him the rest of the season.  He signed a very club-friendly one year deal at $2.5 million but teams must still give pause to his recent history and injuries.

For a Kansas City Royals club struggling to find any consistency in the bullpen and starters, Moore could fill one of those voids.  And if it worked for the Chiefs, maybe the addition will work for the Royals.

Verdict: Pursue

Edwin Jackson, P

Edwin Jackson has been firing baseballs in the major leagues since 2003 playing for an unbelievable 14 teams and over half of those he lasted one season or less.  He had a decent year with the Oakland A’s in 2018 going 6-3 with a 3.33 ERA over 17 starts.

That success did not carry over to 2019 as a 1-5, 11.12 ERA was earned with the Toronto Blue Jays and only slightly improved to 2-5, 8.47 ERA in Motown.  Jackson will be heading into his year 36 season in 2020 and as desperate as the Kansas City Royals may be for hurlers, this would not turn out well.

Verdict: Pass

Players who put little to no service time in with the Detroit Tigers this year would not be a good fit for a Kansas City Royals team looking to be more competitive in 2020.

Austin Adams, P

After a two year absence from the major leagues, Austin Adams resurfaced with both the Minnesota Twins and Tigers this season.  Following his first go-round with the Cleveland Indians from 2014-2016 he could be looking to complete an AL Central cycle.  Should the Kansas City Royals jump on this train?

Aside from 2015, Adams has not produced a season with an ERA under 5.00.  He walked more batters than he struck out with Detroit in 14 innings and his AAA numbers were not fantastic either.  It would be best for Dayton Moore to move on from this player.

Verdict: Pass

Bobby Wilson, C

Never a full-time starter in his career, Bobby Wilson has at the most collected 251 plate appearances in a season, this occurring back in 2016.  For the Tigers, Wilson only 15 times and spent the majority of his time in the minor leagues.  He will turn 37 next April and while the Kansas City Royals may need a veteran backstop to spell Salvador Perez more often, Wilson is not the answer.

Verdict: Pass

Logan Kensing, P

Logan Kensing has not played affiliated ball since spending the 2017 season with Detroit’s AAA team.  He did play with the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in 2018 but his major league career would appear to be over.

Verdict: Pass

Hector Sanchez, C

This catcher last played in the big leagues for the San Diego Padres in 2017 and was part of the San Francisco Giants team that bested the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 World Series.  After signing in the offseason with Detroit, Hector Sanchez was released by the Toledo Mud Hens before the season ever began.

Verdict: Pass