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MLB Rumors: Royals talking to Yovanni Gallardo, Scott Kazmir

By Kyle Franzoni

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 /
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The Kansas City Royals are continuing their search for pitching, including talking to a pair of free agent.

The Kansas City Royals took home the World Series title in 2015, using a solid core of players to claim the prize they fell just short of a year earlier. Then they watched a few solid pieces of that team hit the free agent market in Johnny Cueto and Alex Gordon.

While Gordon has not yet chosen a new team, the Royals remain very much in the mix to bring back their homegrown outfielder. However, the loss of Cueto from the rotation has left a very sizable hole for the team to fill for next season. Unfortunately, the negotiations with Gordon have held Kansas City out of the market for any of the major arms, including Cueto.

The good news is there are still some affordable(?) arms remaining on the market that could help the Royals next season. According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, Kansas City has been in contact with two of those arms; Yovanni Gallardo and Scott Kazmir.

The two pitchers represent two very distinct options for Kansas City.

Gallardo, a right-hander, is two years younger than Kazmir and after being offered a qualifying offer by the Texas Rangers, has draft pick compensation attached to him. As such, they may find it difficult to extend a four or five year deal at $15 million-plus in addition to sacrificing a draft pick. That said, Gallardo showed he can pitch in the American League last season, putting together a 13-11 record with a 3.42 ERA and a 4.00 FIP despite watching his K/9 ratio hit a career-low 5.9 in 2015.

Kazmir, who turns 33 in January, may be the more realistic option. Kazmir is said to be looking for a three-year deal, in the range of $12-$13 million annually. That would be a pittance in the market established this season, especially for a pitcher that has come back from obscurity to post a three-year run that has averaged 11 wins, a 3.54 ERA, a 3.61 FIP, and a 8.1 K/9 ratio.

The Royals need for an arm may dictate that they pull out of the Alex Gordon market or move forward despite his inability to make a decision. There are still some solid options remaining on the market, but Kansas City could be left with a small group to choose from if they don’t make their move soon.

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