Toronto Blue Jays: Options for closing

Kelvin Herrera – KCR

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kelvin Herrera is an interesting name that could be a relatively cheaper option that Papelbon. The Kansas City Royals were the Cinderella team last fall during their quest to win a World Series against the San Francisco Giants. Sure, they may have lost in seven games, but their bullpen was fantastic.

Greg Holland, Wade Davis and Ryan Madson are already integral pieces of the 2015 bullpen. Only eight innings into the 2015 season, Herrera has been a strikeout machine K’ing 10 batters. It may not be a popular name, as opposed to the other big names out there, but Herrera could definitely be a possibility.

Signed to a two-year deal for $4.15 million through 2016, Herrera could be a thrifty option to add to Toronto’s bullpen. He has been explosive during games. In a game on April 19, he was ejected for throwing behind Oakland Athletics third baseman Brett Lawrie. That resulted in a five-game suspension.

The game before his teammate Yordano Ventura was also caught throwing at Lawrie. The Royals have been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons and if ego or machismo becomes a problem for the club, Herrera could be on the block, especially if/when Kris Medlen returns from injury. Herrera has five career saves in eight opportunities and a career 2.36 ERA in the ninth inning of ball games.

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