KC Royals: Making the case, Brewers free agents

(Photo by Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)
(Photo by Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)
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(Photo by David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports)
(Photo by David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports) /

As the two teams have been frequent trade partners, could the KC Royals find any of Milwaukee’s free agents worth reeling in?

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 Brewers’ free agents.

Leading the charge in his sixth season as skipper, it was the first time since 2016 Craig Counsell had a losing record for the Brewers. Nonetheless, the 29-31 mark—just three games better than the KC Royals—was good enough to qualify for the expanded postseason this past summer.

Milwaukee would go on to lose its Wild Card series to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers two games to none. The Brewers have already made a couple of big decisions by declining their option on long time franchise star Ryan Braun and resigning Brett Anderson to a one-year contract.

Many corner infielders to choose from

While the middle infield of the KC Royals seems set for years to come, the first and third base positions are still in flux. Maikel Franco only has one more year before free agency and Hunter Dozier is in his third position in three years at first base.

Although he’s an aging superstar, the big name on the market from the Brewers is Braun. He has spent the first 14 years of his career with the franchise. His batting average and ability to get on base plunged drastically from his career numbers in 2020.

While primarily an outfielder during his major league tenure, Braun has a handful of games at first base under his belt. If the Royals were to pursue him, that is where he would be the best fit. His range and fielding percentage are no longer useful past the infield, especially in spacious Kauffman Stadium.

The only way I make a play for him, however, is if the Royals make the deal for Kris Bryant freeing up third base for Dozier to return to, with Bryant holding down right or left field. Then, under a two-year contract, we can see what Braun has left at first base while we wait for Nick Pratto or another prospect to take over the reins at that position.

Must Read. Royals could make splash in free agent market. light

Braun has expressed an interest to keep playing and although he will be 38 next year, he still hits at an OPS+ of over 100. He could buy the Royals time to develop the next true first baseman and provide veteran leadership.

(Phot by Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
(Phot by Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports) /

There are still four other players from the Brewers who could fill in at either first or third base for the KC Royals.

As a native Kansas Citian, it seemed like Logan Morrison would be a good fit to someday return to his hometown team. That window appears to have passed, though.

Never one to hit for a high average—he has two seasons over the .250 mark—Morrison has shown pop hitting 140 career dingers. He even poked 38 balls out of the park as recently as 2017 with the Tampa Bay Rays.

While he’s a good fielder at first base, the Royals already have players who struggle to reach base. In the last three seasons combined with just over 400 plate appearances, Morrison is hitting under .200 and has an OBP of roughly .265. He’s not worth pursuing, even for sentimental value.

An interesting player to look at is Jedd Gyorko.  He rebounded from a dismal 2019 season to post a .838 OPS, the highest of his career. He is only 32 years old and if he has years left in him with decent power and the ability to reach base like in ’17, ’18, and this season, he could be a good fit.

Pieces would need to be moved around in order to make him fit, similar to the Braun analysis, but I target him for first base as well. Gyorko played very well there this year in his first extended look at the position, so I’m not opposed to a multi-year deal for around $3-4 million per season.

A player KC could take a cheap flyer on is Ryon Healy. He looked like he was off to a solid career displaying power and decent hitting for the Oakland A’s in ’16 and ’17. They traded him to Seattle at the right time as his batting average and ability to reach base went down quickly.

Healy only received 10 at-bats between the regular season and playoffs while in Milwaukee. He will be 29 next season and is worth a one-year, small-dollar contract or even just a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

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While Healy has played third base, he was terrible defensively, registering fielding percentages of .954, .857, and .919.  For him, it’s definitely first base or nothing.

(Photo by Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports)
(Photo by Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports) /

After reviewing the last of the infielders, we look at the two remaining pitchers from the Brewers that the KC Royals could consider signing.

A tough-as-nails player, infielder Eric Sogard definitely leaves it all on the field. That does not always lead to production at the plate as his .246/.316/.340 career slash indicates.

Out of nowhere, Sogard had a monster season in 2019 hitting 13 homers and a career-high .290 batting average. The $4 million he was paid to hit .201 with one dinger in 2020 was not a solid return for Milwaukee. I would pass on bringing him in unless it was a very cheap deal and only for a utility role.

Two pitchers whose time may have passed

After struggling the last few seasons and dealing with injuries, Shelby Miller passed on participating in the 2020 campaign. After two solid years to begin his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, Miller went on to have his best year Sabermetric-wise with the Atlanta Braves in 2015.

In his lone year in Atlanta, he lost 17 games. Yes, 17 games. But his ERA was 3.02, his WHIP 1.25, and he had a career full season-best 127 ERA+. Ever since then, he has struggled and while the wonderment of seeing if he can return to form is there, it does not appear he would fit in with the Royals unless we could do a minor league deal for a tryout.

Lastly, we look at a reliever who spent a small chunk of time in Kansas City in 2018. Justin Grimm appeared in 16 games with the Royals that season, posting a 13.50 ERA and walking an unbearable 14 batters in 12 2/3 innings.

Grimm pitched in the minors in 2019 before returning to big league action with the Brewers this summer. The results were not pretty:  four walks, four home runs allowed in just shy of five frames pitched, with a 17.36 ERA and 2.79 WHIP to boot. Nothing for the KC Royals to explore here.

Next. Making the case for Mets free agents. dark

That is a recap of the players who are available from the Milwaukee Brewers. There could be a potential fit or two for the KC Royals just to see if there is anything left in the tank.  Perhaps a surprise addition to the team would be a part of the return to contention.

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