KC Royals: Making the case, Nationals free agents

With more offseason roster work ahead of them, can the KC Royals find any help from Washington’s free agents?

The KC Royals, a team typically content to avoid big splash offseason transactions, have conspicuously traveled a different path this winter. The re-signing of reliever Greg Holland is, thanks to his rejuvenating 2020 campaign, bigger news than it was last year; the generally unanticipated return of pitcher Mike Minor solidifies the rotation; and bringing aboard first baseman Carlos Santana adds more sorely needed middle-of-the-order power.

Kansas City also may have satisfied its need for a fleet, slick-fielding centerfielder with the signing of Washington free agent outfielder Michael A. Taylor, whose bat remains questionable but whose glove answers important defensive questions. Now apparently in search of a solid lefthanded hitter (and hopefully a southpaw reliever and a backup catching upgrade), could another dip into the pool of Washington free agents help?

The best of the lefthanded swinging players in the Nationals’ bunch is already off the table. Outfielder Adam Eaton recently joined the White Sox, a dangerous team made more so in recent weeks with the additions of starter Lance Lynn, Eaton and Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa.

Also off the KC Royals’ table should be first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, a Nats’ lineup fixture and power source for 15 years who remains on the market; at 36 he may be good for another season or two, but Kansas City wisely solved first base with Santana. Another 15-year veteran the Royals don’t need to take a look at is Anibal Sanchez—its flock of talented young righthanded starters means the club won’t benefit from adding a hurler who’s entering his age-37 season.

Other Washington free agents who’ve now signed—utility man Josh Harrison, and righty relievers Javy Guerra and Aaron Barrett, really wouldn’t have filled any Royals’ needs.

Some of the remaining Nationals free agents, however, might warrant a look.

Three Washington free agents are lefthanded relievers, but only one should interest the KC Royals.

The Royals are proud owners of a vastly improved bullpen, but one glaringly short on southpaws. Of the handful of lefties on its 40-man roster, only one —Richard Lovelady—is a reliever, and his status seems as uncertain as always; unless Danny Duffy heads to the pen, a much discussed but never made move, KC will have to look outside if it wants another bullpen lefty. The Royals didn’t bring back Mike Minor to re-experiment with him as a reliever (he spent his only career bullpen year with KC in 2017), and the rest of the internal options are righties.

Assuming Kansas City wants another lefthander (the three-batter rule hasn’t completely rendered bullpen lefties unnecessary), Sean Doolittle fits the bill. Although right knee and right oblique injuries cost him over 30 days of the short 2020 campaign, Doolittle had 25 saves and a 1.60 ERA in his 2018 All-Star season with the Nats, and led the National League with 55 games finished in 2019. His control is historically good (1.8 career BB9) and he averages more than 10 strikeouts per nine innings.

This season will be Doolittle’s 10th and, at age 34, he could probably give the Royals a couple of good years and provide closer insurance in case Greg Holland doesn’t duplicate his stellar 2020 comeback campaign.

Sam Freeman is another nine-year big league veteran who’ll be 34 in 2021. Control is certainly a concern—Freeman’s career BB9 is 5.2 and he walked seven in five innings last season. He pitched for KC manager Mike Matheny in St. Louis from 2012-14 and posted a respectable 3-2, 3.33 ERA but, despite that familiarity, the Royals should look elsewhere. Freeman’s control is too much of an issue.

The COVID-19 and injury lists kept Roenis Elias off the field in 2020. Elias is a six-year veteran who converted to relief work after his first two big league seasons; his unremarkable 22-24, 3.97 ERA career record shouldn’t catch Kansas City’s attention.

The KC Royals could use another lefthanded hitter, but Washington’s free agents may not be satisfactory fits.

There’s a place for a lefthanded bat, preferably one with power, in the middle of Kansas City’s lineup. Unfortunately, the Royals may have to search somewhere other than the Nationals’ free agents to find it. Eric Thames, Brock Holt and Asdrubal Cabrera (who also hits from the right side) each have their shortcomings.

If power is the priority, Thames has the most among this trio. He hit 12 homers as a rookie in 2011, and nine the next season, before playing three years in the Korean Baseball Organization League where he slammed 124 (and slashed .293/.349/.451) over three years. Thames returned to the United States and hit .241 with 72 homers in three seasons with Milwaukee; he played 41 games for the Nationals last season and slashed .203/.300/.317 with just three home runs.

Despite his power, there isn’t a place for him in the Royals’ lineup. He’s primarily a first baseman, but Kansas City already has Carlos Santana, who has power of his own, is a better all-around hitter, and gets on base more. Thames’ glove is below average in the outfield, and he wouldn’t displace Jorge Soler as DH.

Holt’s .268/.337/.369 nine-year career line is serviceable, and he’s done everything in the majors but catch, but 23 career homers prove he has no real power. Should the Royals require the services of an additional versatile player, however, Holt warrants a look, but he’s not an everyday fit for Kansas City.

Cabrera switch hits, can play every infield position, and has homered at least 20 times in three different seasons. Washington relied heavily on him in last year’s short campaign—he put in 25 games at first base, 17 at third and DH’d 11 times—and hit eight homers and drove in 31 runs in 52 games. Cabrera can still hit, but KC needs a lefthanded bat who’ll play every day. Unless things change, there isn’t a regular infield position open.

The Nationals have a lot of free agents, but the KC Royals should seriously consider only Sean Doolittle.