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MLB Hot Stove: Kansas City Royals preview

By Jason Evans

Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals players celebrate on the field after defeating the New York Mets in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. The Royals won the World Series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals players celebrate on the field after defeating the New York Mets in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. The Royals won the World Series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 23, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Wade Davis (17) delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners in the tenth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won the game 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

Bullpen

This is the strength of the club is the bullpen. Once the Royals had a lead in the sixth or seventh it’s game over. The Royals led the American League and they were second in baseball, only to the Pittsburgh Pirates in bullpen ERA. They were tied for fourth in bullpen WAR with 5.0. It will have a bit of a different look.

Greg Holland needed Tommy John surgery toward the end of last season and was non-tendered by the club. It doesn’t mean he can’t be brought back, and maybe come back before the end of next season. After being a minor-league free agent before last season, Ryan Madson just inked a deal with the Oakland A’s.

They still have Wade Davis, Kelvim Herrera and Luke Hochevar and that should be good enough to get the job done as a late inning combination.

From the left side, the team will have Tim Collins and Brian Flynn. They could also go with Scott Alexander from the left-side as well. Alexander put up pretty good numbers out of the bullpen for AAA Omaha. If Danny Duffy continues to struggle as a starter, he could be used in this role. He pitched in six games down the stretch out the bullpen and didn’t give up a run.

Dayton Moore has done an excellent job making bullpens over the past couple of years and will no doubt add a piece or two before the off-season is through.

Next: Offense

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