KC Royals: 1 free agent target from each MLB playoff team

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The KC Royals and many other teams have plenty of work to do this offseason. The MLB playoffs are marching on without the Royals once again this year. Kansas City is tied with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the second-longest active postseason drought at eight seasons. Fellow AL teams Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels have a nine-season postseason drought, but just because other teams have it worse doesn't assuage Royals fans.

The MLB playoffs go on with the KC Royals at home. But free agency offers hope.

While other fanbases tuned in for the Wild Card series, the Royals held their end-of-season press conference. General manager J.J. Picollo and manager Matt Quatraro spoke to area media members for more than 40 minutes. The conference set the offseason table following a 106-loss 2023 season and Picollo set new expectations for the franchise.

“I think the level of patience that we’ve shown (and) the opportunities that we’ve given guys is adequate," Picollo said. "We need to start thinking more about what we need to do to enhance this roster — and not be as cognizant of who’s on the roster right now.”

Picollo focused on the "starting pitching, outfield, bullpen" as areas of improvement this offseason. He gave centerfielder Kyle Isbel a vote of confidence, but some external options could push for a roster spot next season at all three positions.

One of the best ways Kansas City can "enhance this roster" is via free agency. The Royals are historically stingy on the free-agent market, and nothing points to that changing. But, there is not enough internal talent to expect the 2024 team to be any better. If Kansas City wants to improve in the win-loss column, ownership needs to open the pocketbooks for some external talent.

The MLB playoffs feature teams with their cores locked up contractually, but there are some supporting cast members entering free agency. With the playoff field dwindling down, let's look at each 2023 playoff team and one pending free agent from each team the Royals should pursue this offseason.

AL rivals offer the Royals intriguing reclamation projects.

1. Baltimore Orioles: Shintaro Fujinami

The Sakai, Japan has had a rollercoaster 2023 season, but Shintaro Fujinami is settling in nicely when the Baltimore Orioles need it most. Since coming to Baltimore from the Oakland Athletics, Fujinami improved his K/BB ratio to 2.13 and dropped his ERA from 8.57 to 4.85. He is far from a perfect pitcher, but at least one trending in the right direction. The Royals would do well to see if he can continue that trend on a team-friendly deal.

2. Houston Astros: Phil Maton

If Phil Maton sounds familiar, it could be from his 70 appearances with the Cleveland Guardians. It could be from a key two-inning hold in the 2021 World Series, where he brought Houston back into the game. Or maybe you've never heard of him. The 30-year-old righty is having a solid year with a 3.74 fielding independent pitching (FIP) and .6 fWAR in 68 games for the Astros. Maton has the experience and production that should entice a Royals team looking to improve the bullpen.

3. Minnesota Twins: Donovan Solano

I have annoyed Jared Perkins and Kevin O'Brien for nearly a calendar year about how the Royals would benefit from having Donovan Solano. The Minnesota Twins signed the veteran for the 2023 season, and he casually put up an amazing year. He played 134 games at multiple positions, posted a 116 wRC+, and was worth 1.2 fWAR this year. If the Royals are looking for an aging utility option, they should pursue Solano this offseason.

4. Tampa Bay Rays: Chris Devenski

Chris Devenski was an entirely different pitcher after leaving the dysfunctional Los Angeles Angels organization for the Tampa Bay Rays. He had a positive .5 fWAR on the season and doesn't walk many batters, but struggles with giving up hits. His favorable .190 BABIP should add an asterisk to his performance, but he is a cheap reliever the Royals should kick the tires on.

5. Texas Rangers: Jake Odorizzi

Let Royals fans come full circle on a lottery ticket addition. Trading away Jake Odorizzi and other pieces to the Rays a decade ago netted Kansas City James Shields and kicked off the best modern years of Royals baseball. Odorizzi missed the 2023 season after undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder. The 33-year-old veteran could have something to prove to land back with a contending team. The Royals could sign him as a swingman, then maybe flip him at the deadline.

6. Toronto Blue Jays: Jordan Hicks

Do you want the Royals to stop getting bargain bin relievers? Jordan Hicks could be the premier option. Hicks has a fastball in the 100th percentile, induces groundballs at an elite rate, and strikes out a ton of batters. That is what any team wants in their closer, hence why Hicks had 12 saves this season alone. He would be pricey, but he could be the bullpen anchor and splashy move the Royals need.

NL contenders have plenty of pitching projects for the Royals.

7. Arizona Diamondbacks: Tommy Pham

Tommy Pham may not be the most enticing outfielder on the free agent market, but he would get the job done and push for Kansas City's left fielding spot. He ranks among the MLB's best in chase rate, average exit velocity, and hard-hit percentage. Just tell the Royals broadcast team how hard Pham hits the ball, and they will not stop talking about him.

8. Atlanta Braves: Kevin Pillar

The Atlanta Braves have most of their best players locked up on long-term deals, making them an uninteresting team to pull free agents from. Kevin Pillar is a solid outfield glove but has fallen off in recent years at the plate. The long-time Blue Jays player has been a journeyman since 2019, playing for seven different teams in that span. Pillar is worth the Royals checking on for a minor-league deal with a camp invite, but not much more.

9. Los Angeles Dodgers: Jimmy Nelson

Jimmy Nelson has not pitched in MLB action since late 2021 but should be ready for the 2023 season. If the 34-year-old righty is disenfranchised with the Dodgers organization, a change of scenery should be in order. Nelson posted an amazing season in 2021, with a 1.89 FIP and 13.7 K/9 in 29 innings. The transition from the rotation to the bullpen has been rocky for Nelson, but the Royals could see what Nelson has left this offseason.

10. Miami Marlins: Matt Moore

The Marlins not carrying Matt Moore into the postseason will baffle me for the entirety of the winter. Across three different teams, Moore pitched 52 2/3 innings this season, with a 3.73 FIP and 10.25 K/9. Batters chased his pitches at a 34.9 rate, ranking in the 98th percentile. All the numbers show Moore can still produce at the MLB level. Kansas City should absolutely be interested in the 34-year-old lefty.

11. Milwaukee Brewers: Colin Rea

Have you heard the phrase "beggars can't be choosers"? Well, that goes for the Royals, and starting pitcher Colin Rea is hardly an exciting option, but he still made 22 starts for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023. His 4.90 FIP is not optimal, and Rea should not be any team's highlight acquisition. But Rea has consistently been a fourth or fifth option in the rotation. If his market does not appear, the Royals should step in with a team-friendly deal.

12. Philadelphia Phillies: Michael Lorenzen

This would have been a big signing if I wrote this three months ago. Michael Lorenzen was spectacular for the Detroit Tigers this year, representing the team in the All-Star Game. He has been far from perfect since joining the Philadelphia Phillies, but should be in line for a multi-year deal in a weak free-agent class. The 31-year-old Lorenzen has not had a negative fWAR season since his debut season, always just being good enough. The Royals could use a safe pitching acquisition to join the rotation, albeit uninspiring.

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