KC Royals: Making the case, Mariners free agents

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(Photo by Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports) /

Almost half of Seattle’s free agents have already signed, but there might be some left who could help 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 take a look at the Seattle Mariners’ free agents.

If history has taught us anything about the KC Royals’ pursuits of free agents, it’s that they’ve suffered some serious burns and rarely splurge. Because the financially conservative Royals are coming off a season that produced no gate receipts, there’s no reason to truly believe they’ll spend more liberally this winter unless they find perfect, irresistible fits for their starting rotation and outfield.

The best starting pitchers will be, of course, the most expensive, so the cost-conscious Royals won’t be making serious, if any, overtures to the likes of Trevor Bauer, Masahiro Tanaka or Marcus Stroman. Middle of the road or back-end rotation pieces will be the best Kansas City will do.

The situation is the same in the outfield, where the leadership void left by Alex Gordon’s retirement needs to be filled. The Royals may not be able to find a glove equal to Gordon’s, but an outfielder who can get on base and provide some pop would be an ideal addition to the group of young, but largely inexperienced, outfielders who’ll compete to play alongside Whit Merrifield in 2021.

Could Seattle’s free agents be a source of reasonably-priced help? Although five quick signings (Tim Beckham with the White Sox, Arodys Vizcaino and Mallex Smith with the Mets, and Matt Magill and Kendall Graveman with the Mariners) have reduced the field to six, there are some M’s left to think about.

The son of a former KC Royals’ star might boost Kansas City’s fortunes in 2021.

If sentimentality drove the KC Royals’ free agent decisions, and a former Royal isn’t readily available, the son of one might be the next best thing. And that’s what Kansas City could have with Dee Strange-Gordon, a speedy Seattle free agent who can play in the outfield or infield.

Strange-Gordon is the son of ex-KC pitcher Tom Gordon, who started his 21-year major league career in 1988 as a Royal and went 79-71 with five double-digit win campaigns in over eight Kansas City seasons.

Son Dee is a well-established big league player in his own right. He’s twice an All-Star and owns a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger. A surplus of speed makes up for a lack of power: he’s led the majors in stolen bases three times and averages 33.3 per season. His .286 career average is certainly respectable; although he slumped to .200 in 2020’s short season, there’s little reason to believe that’s strong evidence of impending decline.

Most fans immediately think of Strange-Gordon as a shortstop or second baseman, but he’s beginning to spend time in the outfield. He played center field 53 times in 2018 and left 13 times in 2020. That emerging versatility, together with the fact he hits left-handed, could give the 10-year veteran a leg up on other free agents the KC Royals may consider—he might push Nicky Lopez, provide a path to some days off for Adalberto Mondesi, step in for either in cases of injury, and take a few turns in the outfield.

But any thoughts the Royals have about Strange-Gordon can’t be long-term. He’ll turn 33 in April and the plethora of Kansas City’s surging young infielders and outfielders won’t permit a long stay. But his speed, versatility and experience could serve the club well for a season or two.

Carl Edwards Jr. isn’t a legacy, but the Royals could do much worse if they’re considering adding another right-hander to their resurgent bullpen. Edwards is still young enough—he doesn’t turn 30 until September—and he’s put together six decent big league seasons. He pitched in the 2016 World Series for the Cubs and went 9-8 with a 3.30 ERA in four Chicago seasons.

Edwards has a nifty 1.096 career WHIP and averages over 12 strikeouts every nine innings. He had a 1.93 ERA in five 2020 Mariner games.

Kansas City already has plenty of bullpen righties but, if they move any of them, Edwards could be a good addition.

The rest of the Mariners’ free agents carry some risk for the KC Royals.

What about the four remaining Seattle free agents? There isn’t much in the group and any would be chances the KC Royals shouldn’t take.

Carlos Gonzalez is a 12-year major league veteran outfielder who found Colorado’s Coors Field well-suited to his power. He spent 10 seasons with the Rockies and slugged 20 or more home runs six times, including 40 in 2015 and 34 in 2010; 227 of his career 234 homers were hit with the Rox.

Although Gonzalez is a three-time All-Star and has won three Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers, he hasn’t done much since leaving Colorado after the 2018 campaign. He’s managed just three homers since and hit .215 in 30 games for Cleveland and .175 in 15 for the Cubs in 2019. He signed with the M’s for 2020 but didn’t even make it to summer camp. Clearly on the downside of an otherwise stellar career, Gonzalez wouldn’t fit well in a Royal outfield teeming with young talent.

Bryan Shaw is another former Colorado player who the KC Royals shouldn’t consider. In six games with Seattle in 2020, he surrendered 12 earned runs in six innings, which isn’t surprising considering his 2018 and 2019 ERAs—5.93 and 5.38—with the Rockies. And his control has been inconsistent in his 10 big league seasons. If Kansas City wants another right-handed reliever, Carl Edwards Jr. would be a much better choice.

Yoshihisa Hirano is another right-hander the KC bullpen doesn’t need. Although he has several years of professional experience (mostly in Japan, with three seasons in the United States), and he averages just decimal points below a strikeout per inning, he gave up too many walks (eight) and hits (18) in the 12.1 innings he pitched for the Mariners in 2020. A positive COVID-19 test forced him out part of Seattle’s summer camp and he wasn’t activated until Aug. 21, which probably contributed to his disappointing stats.

What cuts more against Hirano, however, is the fact he’ll be 37 in March. Kansas City needs younger hurlers.

While the Royals might need a left-hander in the bullpen, Nestor Cortes Jr. isn’t the southpaw of choice. Simply put, he gives up too many runs, an unfortunate fact his three-year career 6.72 ERA proves. Surrendering 59 earned runs in 79 big league innings isn’t good and he was battered for 13 in just 7.2 frames for the Mariners in 2020.

Next. Will fixing the Royals be easy?. dark

One Seattle free agent stands out as a good choice for Kansas City. The Royals should talk to Dee Strange-Gordon.

Home / KC Royals News

Almost half of Seattle’s free agents have already signed, but there might be some left who could help the KC Royals.

The son of a former KC Royals’ star might boost Kansas City’s fortunes in 2021.

The rest of the Mariners’ free agents carry some risk for the KC Royals.

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