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MLB Rumors: 10 free agency signings that need to happen

By Steven McNeil

Oct 4, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) doubles during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) doubles during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning in game one of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning in game one of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /

10) Yovani Gallardo SP – Kansas City Royals

Much like the news of the Mike Leake signing with the St. Louis Cardinals, this move makes nothing but a bunch of sense for the Kansas City Royals. They need to make up for the loss of Johnny Cueto, and they don’t have the money to go after the guys who went earlier. So now we are looking at lower tier guys like Gallardo who could easily come in and be a fit in that new Royals’ winning culture.

Gallardo has been a consistent pitcher over his career averaging an ERA under four pretty much every season he has been in the league, as well as a FIP under four for practically every big league season he’s pitched in. What Gallardo has done in his career is even more impressive when you take into account he’s played most of his games in two parks that are extremely favorable to hitters in Miller Park and Arlington Park.

Over his career, Fangraphs has him rated as being worth 23.2 fWAR, which is a really good number for him. His best year came in 2010, when Gallardo went 14-7 with Milwaukee with a 3.02 FIP and 9.73 K/9, making worth 4.6 fWAR. I would expect Gallardo (who will be 30 entering the season), to have another solid 3-4 seasons left in the tank.

While steamer projects him to have a down year in terms of ERA and FIP (4.21 and 4.20), I would expect his numbers to be really good in a Royals uniform, pitching half of his games in the spacious Kauffman Stadium.

This would be an absolutely good get for the Royals, and in my opinion a better value than having Cueto stick around. I am not crazy in linking the two as MLB Trade Rumors has reported that there is interest from the Royals.

Next: Wei-Yin Chen

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