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MLB Free Agency 2017: Five potential teams for Ivan Nova

By Parker Hurley

Sep 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 25, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Kendrys Morales (25) hits an RBI double in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Kendrys Morales (25) hits an RBI double in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kansas City Royals

The Royals struck when they signed Edinson Volquez fresh off of a stint with Pirates coach Ray Searage, and could be looking to strike again with Nova. This team still has a roster capable of winning the division and getting back to the World Series, but their big deficiency is pitching.

They can use Nova in a similar way to the Pirates. The Pirates preached throwing strikes and looking for contact in ground balls. They used their defense to keep Nova in games and Nova did see a rise in his strikeout percentages. The Royals have Sal Perez, one of the better framing catchers, and one of the better defensive infields in the MLB.

Adding a guy like Nova and possibly getting similar production what the Pirates got in the back half of their season would be a huge upgrade to the Royals pitching staff. With Danny Duffy and Ian Kennedy in the mix, Nova could fill spot right in the middle of the rotation.

The question with the Royals would be whether they would spend the money to add Nova if a bidding war were to open. They have typically been a team looking to stay ahead of the curve with young talent and not signing veteran free agents, and notably, have let players such as Billy Butler and James Shields go.

While the chances may not be as likely as a big market team, the fit for Nova to go to the Royals is probably the best one there is.

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