MLB Free Agency: The Three Best Fits for Matt Holliday

Kansas City Royals

The outfield in Kansas City is pretty set in stone. With Lorenzo Cain returning from injury to join Alex Gordon and Paulo Orlando, the Royals’ outfield is solid. However, Kansas City signing Matt Holliday would not be for the outfield. In this deal, Holliday may become an occasional outfielder if Gordon needs rest. However, Matt Holliday’s defense hasn’t been the best of late, and a move to full-time DH may be the best option.

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The Kansas City Royals lost their DH Kendrys Morales this offseason to the Toronto Blue Jays. Now they have an exceptional hole at the position. The currently listed DH, Cheslor Cuthbert, may not be a good season-long designated hitter. While Cuthbert’s batting average was higher than Holliday’s last season, he does not provide the same power that Holliday still posseses. Also, like argued before, a veteran hitter that can solely focus on hitting will often benefit statistically. Matt Holliday making the move to designated hitter will strengthen his numbers and prove himself worthy to wear Royal blue.

Morales and Holliday are actually very similar statistically. Kendrys hit for a bit more average, .263 to Holliday’s .246, but Holliday can put up similar if not better numbers as a DH. Production-wise, they are similar as well. Morales had 10 more home runs, 17 more runs, and 31 more runs batted in. However, Morales had 192 more plate appearances than Holliday.

If you average out the numbers, with Morales’ amount of plate appearances Holliday would have slugged 29 home runs, scored 69 runs, and collected 89 runs batted in. Now the two are near identical, and if you look at their strikeout (19.4 percent, 16.7 percent) and walk percentages (7.8 percent, 8.2 percent), the similarities are more evident. Holliday could perfectly fill the void that Morales has left behind, making this move the wisest for both parties.

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Matt Holliday may well be one of the most sought out free agents this offseason. His veteran presence and offensive production only increase his value to a club. However, Holliday is only getting older, and he will be 37 next season. With perhaps only a few quality years left, he must make the switch to a designated hitter. Ruling out all NL clubs leaves these three teams that make the most sense. Holliday needs to sign with a team that is ready to push for the postseason. He cannot join a rebuild, or an already solid team with a good outfield. Therefore, the Orioles, Astros and Royals are the best fits for the veteran outfielder.