Major League Baseball

Royals' relief corps needs reinforcements

Published Nov. 20, 2014 11:50 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Kansas City Royals need to upgrade their bullpen this winter.

That notion seems strange after watching Ned Yost maneuver to within one swing of a World Series title, thanks in large part to the late-inning trio of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland.

But already, the Royals' pitching staff is not what it was one month ago. Consider the following factors:

. . . Brandon Finnegan and Jason Frasor -- who accounted for the most postseason appearances among Kansas City relievers not named Herrera, Davis, and Holland -- are no longer part of the Royals' bullpen (at least, for the moment). Finnegan is expected to move into a starting role, and Frasor is a free agent.

. . . Royals general manager Dayton Moore must build a bullpen capable of working more than the 464 innings it logged in 2014, fifth-fewest in the majors.

The reason: James Shields is almost certain to depart as a free agent and take his 227 innings with him. Shields' replacement -- whether Finnegan or someone else -- is highly unlikely to match that workload, meaning the bullpen will have more innings to cover.

. . . Including the postseason, both Herrera (85) and Holland (73 1/3) established new career highs for innings pitched. Re-signing Frasor (or adding a comparable reliever with late-inning experience) would help Yost ensure Herrera and Holland have reasonably fresh arms in October 2015 -- if the Royals make it back to the playoffs.

That said, it won't be easy for Moore to add bullpen help. The Royals already spend a high percentage of their small-market payroll on relief pitching, and they appear to be prioritizing upgrades at designated hitter and/or right field with what available dollars they have.

Barring an unexpected trade, Herrera, Davis and Holland will be back in the Royals' bullpen next year. But they'll need help if they are to continue their dominance.