KC Royals: Some lefty starters are just down the road

Welcome back to Kings of Kauffman’s continuing series analyzing how the free agent market could impact the KC Royals. Over the next few weeks, our writers will scrutinize each club’s free agents and project who might, or might not, fit Kansas City’s needs. Today, we focus on some of St. Louis’ free agent pitchers.

Southpaw Danny Duffy, working the final season of his contract and pitching better than he had in years, was the best KC Royals starter when the second of his two 2021 left flexor strains sidelined him in July. But eager to bolster their pitching for the stretch run, the Dodgers wanted him anyway and Duffy, perhaps finding the notion of playing in his native California and the probability of postseason play too much to resist, didn’t invoke his right as a “10 & 5” player to reject the LA-KC trade that sent him West.

Unfortunately, Duffy didn’t heal or pitch again, and his departure left a hole in the Royals’ rotation. He could return to Kansas City as a free agent, but his flexor strains render his future uncertain and leave unanswered the question of whether he’ll pitch in 2022. Or ever again.

KC has other lefthanded starters, of course, but none free from uncertainties of their own. Kris Bubic and Mike Minor had frustratingly inconsistent seasons; Daniel Lynch and Angel Zerpa need more experience and have much to learn. So the club could use an established lefty starter.

It just so happens four such hurlers, now free agents, spent 2021 just down Interstate 70 in St. Louis. Could any of them help the Royals?

Should 2 decent lefthanded starters interest the KC Royals this offseason?

July 30, the last day trades were allowed this past season, dawned with Jon Lester stranded on a bad Washington team. Halfway across the country, sluggish St. Louis was nine games out of first place in the NL Central and appeared all but written out of baseball’s developing postseason script.

The Cardinals weren’t giving up, though, and traded for Lester just before the trade curtain fell. He went 4-1 down the stretch and helped his new club win a Wild Card.

The 16-year major league veteran’s two successful months in St. Louis, and the serviceable 7-6 effort he gave the Nationals, suggest that even at age 37 (38 in January), Lester has enough left in the tank to help the Royals. After all, he has 200 wins and can still pitch. He’s a savvy competitor, relishes big games, always wants the ball, and can help lead and mentor Kansas City’s young hurlers.

A one-year deal is probably all the Royals should offer Lester. That might be enough time, though, for Lester to set an example, pass on some valuable knowledge, and snare a few wins.

J.A. Happ is another veteran lefthander Kansas City might consider for a short starter-mentor role. A 5-6 record didn’t dissuade the Cardinals from acquiring him from Minnesota the same day they traded for Lester and, like Lester, he came through. He went 5-2 in 11 starts after the trade.

Happ is 133-100 in 15 big league seasons, won 20 games (and lost only four) for Toronto in 2016, and has won at least 10 games eight times.