Starting pitcher targets for the Royals in free agency


Kansas City's rotation has been pretty solid in 2022 from Greinke to Singer; however, the team must look for some rotation upgrades this offseason. The Royals will have openings in the rotation for next season. While the team has options in the minor leagues, or even the bullpen, from Brad Keller to Luke Weaver, the team will be looking to bring in a middle of the rotation type of free agent pitcher. 

Jose Quintana


The Royals are going to be looking to spend a bit of money on free agent pitchers to fill holes in the rotation, but the team won't go all in on one particular arm. Quintana this past offseason signed a one year deal worth just $2 million dollars, and I believe he could be demanding about the same type of deal heading into next offseason and his asking price should be right up the Royals’ alley. The 33-year-old this season has posted a solid ERA of 2.93 since being dealt to the Cardinals in a trade with Pittsburgh. St. Louis gave up pitcher Johan Oviedo and third baseman Malcolm Nunez. Nunez was the Cardinals 10th ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Quintana won't only help the Royals on the mound but also in the clubhouse. According to Pirates pitcher Roansy Contreras, Quintana provides wisdom to youthful players: "He shares so much of his knowledge and wisdom with us,” Roansy Contreras said in June through team interpreter Mike Gonzalez. “He’s always out there with us in our bullpens. Anything that he sees that he thinks that we could adjust or [do] better or amplify, he makes it aware to us in a very approachable way, in a very genuine way. Quintana is great.” I mentioned at the beginning of the article that the Royals have a pretty young group of pitchers on their staff, and I believe if the price is right, Quintana could be a great piece for the team to add to the rotation this offseason on a one year pact.

Chad Kuhl


The idea of the Royals signing Kuhl could be a bit of a head scratcher after a down 2022 season with the Rockies. Although Kuhl had a down year with Colorado, the 30-year old has had a decent career to this point. Kuhl has a four pitch mix that includes a fastball, slider, changeup and a curveball. The right hander was primarily used as a long reliever last season with the Pirates; however, with the Rockies in 2022, he has been a part of the rotation and has started 124 games in his career between the Pirates and the Rockies. The 2022 season for the 30-year old right hander has been one he would love to forget. Kuhl in 2022 has posted a 5.33 ERA with 99 punch outs with the Rockies. Kuhl spent some time in Triple-A. where he made one start with six punch outs. Kuhl has the ability to eat up multiple innings rather as a member of the rotation or the bullpen. According to baseballsavant.com, Kuhl's fastball can hit 93 mph on the radar gun. While Kuhl's fastball won't blow hitters away, he mixes up his other three pitches pretty well. According to his 2022 pitch distribution chart on baseballsavant.com:

Fastball: 45%

Slider: 36%

Curveball: 12%

Changeup: 7% 

Although it is unlikely that Kansas City signs Kuhl to be a member of the rotation or the bullpen, I believe Kuhl would be a good player to take a flier on, whether that's the way of a major league contract or a minor league pact and compete for a rotation spot or a bullpen spot in spring training next season.

Mike Minor


Kansas City and Mike Minor are very familiar with each other after the 34-year old played for the boys in blue for a year and a half. The Royals originally signed the left hander to a two year deal worth $7.25 million back in 2016. The left-hander returned to Kansas City in 2020 after spending two and a half years with the Rangers and the Athletics. Minor's return to Kansas City turned out to be a big letdown for Minor and the team. Kansas City and Minor's first go round together worked out great for both sides as a reliever; however, Minor's second time in the Midwest as a member of the rotation was a complete flop after the team signed him to a two year deal worth $18 million guaranteed. While a member of the rotation in Kansas City, the left hander played in 28 games in his first year. During Minor's 28 starts, he posted a 5.05 ERA, but the left hander was able to stay healthy for most of the season. Despite Minor's struggles with the Royals, the team was able to send Minor to Cincinnati for reliever Amir Garrett, who has been a good addition to the bullpen for Kansas City. Despite the left hander's recent struggles from the past two seasons, I believe the Royals should take a chance on the 34-year old in 2023 and let him compete for a rotation spot in spring training along with other inhouse options for the rotation next season. Although all three pitchers mentioned had down seasons in 2022, the Royals have the history of taking chances on arms that are looking to turn their careers around like Minor, Medlen and Bailey did in their stints in Kansas City.




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