KC Royals fans want to move on from these two players (not named Salvador Perez)

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The time is nearly here for the KC Royals to start shaping the 2024 roster. That can be through internal options or external acquisitions, but something has to change this offseason. The 2023 season was one of the worst in franchise history no matter how fans try to find a positive spin.

These KC Royals are under control for 2024 but have no business being here.

The front office showed they are more transactional than the previous regime, let's get that straight. A team that started off with veterans like Jackie Bradley and Hunter Dozier quickly moved on from two lost cases. 8 of the 26 players on Kansas City's Opening Day roster are no longer with the organization. That turnover, considering most of it happened before August, gives me some hope.

But hope is nothing if there are not results.

The Royals have a chance to show the fanbase some more favorable results. Move on from players who either bring little to the table or at least ones who need a fresh start away from Kansas City. The Salvador Perez trade speculation will certainly be swirling in the coming months, so let's omit him from this exercise.

All these players are under team control for 2024 at least, with one already on the payroll for 2024. Which three players should start planning their Kansas City departure?

Taylor Hearn

Let's just say pitcher Taylor Hearn never received a warm, Midwestern welcome from the Royals faithful. His arrival came at the expense of fan-favorite Nicky Lopez in a lopsided trade the Atlanta Braves won.

It’s already a disgrace that the #Royals got literally nothing for #NickyLopez so would it be too much to ask to release #TaylorHearn? He’s likely the worst pitcher in #MLB which is saying something. He’s bad every time they run him out there. Has absolutely nothing.
— pjraueniv (@pjraueniv1) August 29, 2023

The Royals are Hearn's third team this season after unsuccessful stops with the Texas Rangers and Braves. Hearn's last MLB appearance was on Aug. 28, where he gave up two earned runs in one inning. In total, Hearn's Kansas City career features 7 2/3 innings and an 8.22 ERA while surrendering 12 hits and seven earned runs.

Hearn is entering his third year of arbitration and is set to receive a raise on his $1,462,500 salary. The Royals should not pay that for a 29-year-old player who simply clogs up the 40-man roster. In the words of Rex Hudler, Taylor, you got to go.

Carlos Hernandez

What a difference two months make. Reliever Carlos Hernandez was the talk of the Royals trade deadline, dividing fans on whether the team should move the fireballer after a decent summer showing. The wheels have fallen off since the trade deadline though and Hernandez's three earned runs allowed in a 1/3 inning against the Detroit Tigers is a new low.

Cole Ragans *could* have ended his season with a 2.13 ERA with the Royals in 71.2 innings pitched. Instead, he'll *only* finish with a 2.26 ERA thanks to Carlos Hernandez allowing the entire Detroit Tigers 26-man roster to come around to score.
— Royal de Lux Podcast (@royaldeluxpod) September 28, 2023

It seemed like Hernandez had turned a corner to start this season. His fastball velocity reached new heights, averaging 99.1 MPH on a pitch he throws 55% of the time. That ranks in the 99th percentile, according to Baseball Savant. That fastball gaining new life led to Hernandez's secondary pitches performing better as well. After the Royals moved on from Aroldis Chapman and Scott Barlow, Hernandez seemed first in line to become the team's new closer.

Hernandez has been everything but that for most of his appearances since the trade deadline. Since Aug. 7, Hernandez has had 13 2/3 innings, while giving up 16 earned runs, walking 13 batters and only striking out 11, racking up an 8.52 fielding independent pitching (FIP) mark. Hardly what the Royals want out of any member of their bullpen, much less a potential closer.

It is always easier to judge whether a team should or shouldn't have traded a player in hindsight. I was fine with the Royals holding Hernandez at the trade deadline. He had an elite 2.62 FIP, .84 WHIP, and strong strikeout numbers from June 1 through July 31 this season.

The Royals do not have to move on from Hernandez this offseason. He is cheap and has the talent and familiarity in Kansas City. This is a want more for the fanbase. The rough stretches this season and last had eroded a ton of trust in Hernandez on the mound. The Royals have several other relievers who could step up next season. If a team comes knocking for Hernandez with a decent deal, the Royals should mercifully move on

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