Four Under-The-Radar Pitchers That the Royals Could Target.

by Jack Marsh on Oct 30, 2011 4:03 PM EDT

So, the season is over, and the Royals need pitching. Lots of us were speculating like crazy who the Royals could get. There were names thrown out like James Shields, C.J. Wilson, and even Felix Hernandez.

But now, This article was released by the Royals official site that suggested that the Royals are not going to make a huge splash and that the Royals are more likely to go after more under-the-radar pitchers.

The question now switches from "How big of a splash can we make this offseason?" to "What under-the-radar moves could we make that could vault us into contention?"

Here's my answer:

There are a number of pitchers on the market that have the peripherals to suggest that they will make a jump in 2012, especially on a team with a balanced offense. None of them would take very much back in a trade.

Pitcher #1: Gavin Floyd

via media.tumblr.com

Bio: Gavin Floyd was drafted by the Phillies in 2001. He pitched for the White Sox when they won the World Series in 2005, and he still does.

Why he would be worth it: Floyd had a career-best 3.36 SO/BB in 2011. He is only 28, and appears to be trending upward. It would not take much to get him, considering he will be a 3rd Year Arb. guy on a team looking to dump payroll.

What it would take to get him: Either one B+ hitting prospect or one B- and one C+.

What kind of impact he would make: Floyd has a ceiling of a solid #1, and the floor of a #2 or #3 starter. He wouldn't be an ace, but he would still make a big impact on a team that is really lacking more than one or two decent starters.

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Pitcher #2: Jeff Niemann

via fantasyphenoms.com

Bio: Jeff Niemann came up through the Rays system after he was drafted in 2004.

Why he would be worth it: Niemann has produced fairly consistently for the Rays, and has an encouragingly low WHIP that looks like it could get better. Like pretty much everyone else I'm going to mention, he wouldn't take much to get, especially considering that Niemann will be 29 next season.

What it would take to get him: Two B- prospects.

What kind of impact he would make: He would be a relatively cheap #3 starter who could be a good addition to the Royals' pitching depth.

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Pitcher #3: Jonathan Sanchez

via www.stateofthesport.com

Bio: Jonathan Sanchez was drafted by the Giants in 2004. After a great 2010 season, he had a bit of a shaky 2011 campaign.

Why he would be worth it: Jonathan Sanchez has always had great potential. He showed a big glimpse of it in 2010, but 2011 was not a very good year for him. His peripherals still look good. He had a K/9 of 9.1 last year, but he still walked a lot of guys. Last season was definitely fluky, especially because of a nagging ankle injury. Next season could be a bounce-back year for him. He might make more sense for a mid-season trade because the Royals seem to not be sure where they are with Melky Cabrera and Lorenzo Cain, and the Giants have a glaring CF need.

What it would take to get him: Melky Cabrera or Lorenzo Cain.

What kind of impact he would make: Jonathan Sanchez has the potential to be a solid #2 when healthy, and maybe even a solid #1 if he cuts down on his walks.

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Pitcher #4: Ricky Nolasco

via images.usatoday.com

Bio: Ricky Nolasco was drafted by the Cubs in the 2001 draft. He currently pitches for the Florida Marlins, and they have expressed interest in trading him this off-season.

Why he would be worth it: Ricky Nolasco is a great pitcher with great peripherals playing for an inconsistent Marlins team in need of a CF. He has consistently had a SO/BB of over 3.5, and he has a lowering HR/9 total, and is becoming more of a ground-ball pitcher. He would actually be a better fit than Jonathan Sanchez, and would probably be cheaper in terms of trade value. He is owed $20 Million over the next 2 years.

What it would take to get him: Once again, it would take Melky Cabrera or Lorenzo Cain. I would expect them to want Cain more since he has more potential than Melky and is younger. It might also take a C prospect such as Ben Theriot or Derrick Robinson.

What kind of impact he would make: I firmly believe that Ricky Nolasco has the stuff to be an ace. As of right now, he's a solid #2. Since he is becoming more of a ground-ball pitcher, he might just be a perfect fit for the K.

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So, that's all I've got. Ricky Nolasco is probably my top target for Dayton as of now, and all of the other guys seem to be viable options for vaulting the Royals into contention in 2012.

I'm pretty confident in DM's ability as a GM right now, and I hope that if we don't contend in 2012, we make some more strides forward.

What other cheap-ish, under-the-radar pitchers can you think of?

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Comments

Not sure what it would take to get him

But Mike Leake could be a good fit.
He’s basically a league average guy who doesn’t walk a lot of guys and whose main bugaboo has been the long ball but the switch from great american ballpark to kaiffman would y help that

"We don’t have guys with a long history of being effective in the seventh and eighth innings."
~Trey Hillman, master of understatements.

by RoyalPug on Oct 30, 2011 4:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I thought about adding him to the list, but...

I noticed he was under team control until something like 2016, and he’s only 23, so it would probably take a bit of a haul.

I'm a 14 year old freshman in high school with a love for all things Royals and Packers.

2012 is the year we shine.

by Jack Marsh on Oct 30, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Can't see why he gets dealt

FWIW, I recall Schaum saying the Royals liked him in the draft when he was taken a few picks ahead of our selection.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 31, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Excellent writeup..

Great detail and enjoyable read..

I’d go one better. I’d chase all 4 :)

We have the farm to grab them for certain.

And for the Florida and SF need CF. Fine…Melky to SF, Cain packaged to Florida for both pitchers, and finally see if Jarrod Dyson is a major league CFer.

The only problem with your writeup, is that you make each pitcher look very good in text, but then follow-up with how it wouldn’t take much to get them.

Sanchez looks the most attainable, as he is a non-tender candidate. If I recall last year, Florida was saying that Nolasco was definately not for trade..that change this year?

by KennyPowers_from_Scout on Oct 30, 2011 7:41 PM EDT reply actions

The only reason I said that they wouldn’t take much back in a trade is because most of these players are extremely undervalued by their teams or are getting too expensive for their teams.

The White Sox have been fairly reliable to the Royals when it comes to trades.

Niemann is undervalued by the Rays because they have so much other SP talent.

Jonathan Sanchez had a really fluky season this year, and the signs are pointing to him bouncing back. The Giants are getting rid of him. He wouldn’t cost much.

On Nolasco, well, there’s this: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/09/marlins-open-to-trading-nolasco.html

I'm a 14 year old freshman in high school with a love for all things Royals and Packers.

2012 is the year we shine.

by Jack Marsh on Oct 30, 2011 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

In addition to the White Sox thing:

They are looking to dump payroll, and Floyd’s contract is getting fairly pricey.

I'm a 14 year old freshman in high school with a love for all things Royals and Packers.

2012 is the year we shine.

by Jack Marsh on Oct 30, 2011 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

How do you know those teams are undervaluing them?

They could be open to trading them, but asking for a lot.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 31, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

er mistake..

“Cain packaged” should read “Cain packaged to Florida for Nolasco”.

by KennyPowers_from_Scout on Oct 30, 2011 7:42 PM EDT reply actions

What do you think about Tom Gorzelanny or Brett Myers?

I think Gorzelanny would come very cheaply in terms of prospects and he is due only 2M or so. The Nats were just using him in relief and they were already thinking that may be too much money for a long reliever. He’s a capable starter and pitches well.

Brett Myers is another guy who I think had a down year and could do well next year. The Astros are looking to trade him and Wandy Rodriguez anyways. He’s a good #3 pitcher and the Astros have shown themselves to be poor negotiators in trades. I think he could be had for a couple C to C+ prospects.

I agree Niemann is a trade target being as the Rays have so many pitchers, but I think they would rob the Royals in any trade. I see him as more of a #4 pitcher and he’s a bit on the old side. I would not give up 2 B- level prospects for him.

"You need to get real!"

by MJ5 on Oct 30, 2011 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you underestimate what it would take to get any one of those guys.

by WURoyal on Oct 30, 2011 11:32 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I would love to do all of the above options

But I can’t believe any team would trade a cheap, talented starter for anything less than a solid haul. No one is really under any strong compulsion to get rid of any of these guys from what I can tell.

by WURoyal on Oct 30, 2011 11:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Agreed.

If you look at what people in SF are saying about Sanchez, it’s they either want to keep him or trade him for Kevin Youklis. Not saying they’d get that for Sanchez, but that’s what the SF fans think he’s worth. Houston fans think they’re going to get a Greinke haul for Rodriguez, wrong though they may be. We all have a tendency to over-value our own and undervalue others, which is why whenever I propose a trade I try to add the caveat of ‘and someone else, possibly’.

I think Gorzelanny get’s DFA’d, too, and could be signed for 2-2.5 million. I think having another LH who can make some starts would be a good addition.

If women only slept with nice guys...guys would only be nice. And they don't. And we're not.

by setupunchtag on Oct 31, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

If I am, I don't think it is if by much

Gorzelanny is a long reliever who they may very well DFA. He’s a bargain fifth starter though who is cheap and under team control till 2013. They aren’t using him for really anything important except an insurance starter. He costs 2M to play a limited role for them. I don’t think he is a bad player, but they are not valuing him or have room for him and will look to trade him.

I think if The Royals took on Myers’ salary and threw in 2 or 3 C to C+ range players, they could make a deal. I mean look what they got for Michael Bourn. I understand he’ll be in demand, but if the Royals act fast, I think they could get him.

"You need to get real!"

by MJ5 on Oct 31, 2011 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I wan't talking about your post, I was mainly talking about Niemann and Sanchez

TB doesn’t give away talent. And Sanchez might be a good target, but straight up for Melky or Cain? Hopeful, IMO.

by WURoyal on Oct 31, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes. I agree that that is a stretch.

by Royal(e) with Cheese on Nov 7, 2011 8:22 PM EST up reply actions

Great info

I’m anxiously awaiting too see our pitching staff additions. That’s all we need. And we will be rocking!

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Oct 30, 2011 11:59 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

What? The Royals were NEVER going to make a splash?

Of course not! & y would they?! They don’t have the money as they always say right? Was this ever a surprise to anyone? Let’s get another Gil Meche!!!

by HIT34MAN on Oct 31, 2011 12:19 AM EDT reply actions

Under-the-radar pitchers? That has Royals written all over it

I was never going to hold my breath that they would try to sign a CJ Wilson or James Shields but I would rather them sit still than get what they call an under-the-radar pitcher. This team is full of under-the-radar pitchers

by HIT34MAN on Oct 31, 2011 12:23 AM EDT reply actions

interesting options there

However i’m increasingly of the opinion that the article on the Royals site is nothing but smoke and mirrors. I fully expect Dayton to overpay for an “ace” like Wilson or put in a ridiculous bid for Darvish (which I wouldn’t really have a problem with). Glass ain’t getting any younger and DMGM is nothing if not a bit weird when it comes to offseason acquisitions.

He’ll probably do something retarded like Buerhle for 5/80. Shoot me if i’m anywhere near right please.

by NobodyFsWDeJesus on Oct 31, 2011 12:24 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

WSox Troll Here

Floyd signed an extension before the 2009 season that puts his salary at $7M next year with a club option at $9.5M in ’13.

John Danks is entering his final year of arbitration.

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/chicago-white-sox.html

by ThisIsJustBanter on Oct 31, 2011 8:26 AM EDT reply actions

He's under contract

and he’s going into arbitration?

Nick Swisher is handsome. Johnny Giavatella close second.

by ChrisCEIT on Oct 31, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Floyd is under contract for 2012 with a 2013 team option

Danks is eligible for arbitration in 2012 and will be a free agent in 2013.

by Gopherballs on Oct 31, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Like the idea

But you’re valuation of some of these guys is way off. Nolasco will not be had for Melky/Cain and a nothing prospect. Otherwise teams will be lining up for him.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 31, 2011 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

yeah, the values are way to low, and none of these guys are really under the radar

Gavin Floyd has been a 3.5-4.5 WAR pitcher in recent years, has not shown any real decline, and would be expected to have about $20+ million in surplus value under his current contract (which even comes with a team option, which significantly reduces the risk if he blows out his arm).

Shaun Marcum, a good pitcher but a step below Floyd and with the same number of club control years, brought back a Top 40 prospect in Brett Lawrie ten months ago. Wil Myers would be the starting point for any discussion on Floyd.

Niemann has developed into a perfectly fine league average starter, but if there is one team in baseball that correctly values its players, it is Tampa Bay. He is under club control for three more years and is just entering his arbitration years, so the Rays will not give him up unless they get significant value for him.

Sanchez is the one guy who might be available relatively cheap but that is because he is not very good and due for another sizable raise in his final year of arbitration. Sanchez is more Oliver Perez than David Price.

by Gopherballs on Oct 31, 2011 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

FWIW

I just saw that the Pirates declined the option for Maholm.

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Oct 31, 2011 11:23 AM EDT reply actions

The Indians did also with Sizemore

I hate your couch....DON'T DRAFT ANDREW LUCK HE SOUNDS LIKE A MUPPET

by tiquanunderwear on Oct 31, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Saw that.

It’d be interesting to take a flyer on Sizemore. I wonder if there’s more to that injury than what had been reported. I always figured he’d bounce back and be a total stud.

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Oct 31, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

He would have been an interesting guy to take a flyer on if Moore hadn't locked up Francoeur

Now there’s no room for him.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 31, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I have a feeling he might still be an expensive flyer

And on a one year deal it would have been pointless, right?

by WURoyal on Oct 31, 2011 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd rather have Sizemore for one year than Francoeur for two

Francoeur for two years guaranteed is a negative in my book. You’re paying for a lot of regression and quite possibly blocking Myers in the second year of the deal. Sizemore for one year is at least an interesting stopgap.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 31, 2011 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

No on Sizemore, shell of his former self

Minor league contract at best. He has barely stole a base since the injuries started. No thanks.

- .-. ..- … – / – …. . / .—. .-. - .. . … …

by Jeff Zimmerman on Oct 31, 2011 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Has his defense fallen off?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Nov 1, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I think so

UZR has him as a below average defensive CFer for each of the last 3 years. Dewan’s plus/minus has him below average the last two years. I think his speed has really dropped significantly which has decreased his range.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Nov 3, 2011 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions