KC Royals: Making the case, Chicago Cubs free agents

There are many free agents available from the team that calls Wrigley Field home – could any of them assist the KC Royals?

Welcome back to Kings of Kauffman’s continuing series analyzing the major league free agent market and projecting who might, or might not, fit the KC Royals’ needs. Today we look at the Cub’s free agents.

After winning the National League Central by three games over the Cincinnati Reds, the Chicago Cubs took on the Miami Marlins in the Wild Card round.  Disappointingly they were swept in the best 2 out of 3 round.

The Cubs have quite a few players in their early to mid-30s that are free to offer their services to other teams.  Chicago is also rumored to be shopping at least one big-name talent so an overhaul of the team may be in the works.

Infielders available

Having terrorized Royals pitching during his career, mainly with the Cleveland Indians, it may be tempting to get Jason Kipnis on our side.  He has slammed 19 dingers and 32 doubles against Kansas City, the most against any one team he has faced.

The last few years have not been as productive for Kipnis as he produced an OPS of no greater than .744 since 2017.  His primary position is second base and with Nicky Lopez, a favorite of Mike Matheny, there is really no place for this free agent.

One player who might fill the veteran utility role is Hernan Perez.  He will turn 30 next spring and has nine seasons under his belt.  He had a couple of good years in Milwaukee in a quasi full-time role but generally is a good extra hand to have on deck.

Perez can play all infield and outfield positions and has decent speed.  One negative would be he is not much for on-base percentage, something the KC Royals desperately need.  Important to note that he should not cost the KC Royals an arm and a leg.

Daniel Descalso is also a free agent from the Cubs but he did not play at all in 2020.  After a couple of double-digit home run seasons in ’17 and ’18, he really bottomed out with a .521 OPS in ’19.  No foreseeable fit with the Royals.