3 big new KC Royals questions and answers

Is Lucas Erceg the answer to Kansas City's bullpen issues?

In a way, Yes. No one reliever can solve this bullpen's problems — they've gone on too long and exist in too many spots. But Erceg is pitching like he wants to be the pitcher manager Matt Quatraro deploys in the highest of high-leverage situations.

We called Erceg "underrated" after the Royals acquired him in the trade deadline deal with Oakland that cost the club promising pitching prospects Will Klein and Mason Barnett, and outfielder Jared Dickey. But since bringing his commendable 2-3, 3.68 record to Kansas City, he's been excellent at all the right times.

Take Wednesday, for example. Yes, Ragans won the day, but Erceg saved it — he replaced Sam Long with the potential tying run at the plate and two out in the eighth, retired Minnesota's Jose Miranda to end the inning, then faced the minimum in the ninth to secure the Royals' win and his second Kansas City save.

That was precisely the kind of performance the Royals already expect from Erceg. In seven games as a Royal, he's recorded two saves and five holds, hasn't surrendered a run or a walk, has five strikeouts, and has retired opponents in order in four of his 7.2 innings. Not quite perfect, but pretty close to it.

Now, it will be hard for Quatraro to give anyone else the nod when the Royals are in a jam or need a save.

Why is Adam Frazier still a Royal?

We questioned why the Royals signed Frazier immediately after they did so during the offseason. Now, it seems a day doesn't pass without fans questioning his continuing presence on the big league roster.

And with good reason. Although he hit in the lead-off spot Wednesday and went 3-for-4, his three singles bumped his average (now .205) over .200 for the first time since July 22. He's homered only three times and driven in just 17 runs in 79 games; his OBP is .286, his SLG .290, and his wRC+ a distressing 62.

He is, simply put, one of several Royals who've struggled at the plate all season long.

What keeps him in Kansas City despite his all-too-obvious offensive shortcomings, is what he gives the Royals in the field. He's by no stretch of the imagination a defensive liability, and that's important considering the fact he plays in so many spots. Quatraro can deploy him just about anywhere, and has: so far, Frazier's appeared at second and third bases and in right and left fields, and has also served as the club's designated hitter.

So unless the Royals suddenly tire of his bat, a point they could have reached long ago, don't expect them to cut Frazier loose.

Is Paul DeJong making a case to stick with the Royals?

Could be.

Big league veteran DeJong came to the Royals the same day as Erceg; the Royals sent Jarold Rosado to the White Sox to get him. At the time Kansas City pulled the trigger on the deal with Chicago, DeJong was stuck on the worst team in the majors but had still hit 18 homers and driven in 41 runs in 102 games. The Royals needed to add some power and punch, ingredients that DeJong could supply.

And he's delivered.

DeJong clubbed his second Royal homer Wednesday, an important sixth-inning solo shot that increased his club's lead over the Twins to two runs. He added a single and double for good measure and is slashing .320/.400/.600 with five RBI in 10 games since reporting to the Royals.

DeJong isn't as defensively versatile as Frazier, but that's just fine. The Royals are primarily interested in his bat, so any good he does them in the field will be extra. And he might even be building a case to return next season — his current $1.75 million one-year contract suggests he'll be inexpensive next year, and he's the kind of player KC can use.

Expect to see DeJong more and more often as the Royals begin their final 41 games with a night contest at Cincinnati Friday evening. And maybe he'll be back next year.

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