Kansas City Royals putting the band back together

The Kansas City Royals have been building towards the future by looking to the past. Greg Holland is back, signed to another one year deal. Ervin Santana signed a minor league deal, and will either serve as depth at AAA or could emerge as the fifth starter or swingman. Mike Minor returned on a two year deal to help fortify the rotation.

A part of this is seemingly by design. The Royals are looking to build the type of roster they had in their run in the mid 2010s, where they made consistent contact and had strong pitching. By bringing some of these pitchers back, the Royals are hearkening to those days.

Kansas City Royals bring back Wade Davis

A major part of that success came from their dominant bullpen. It is fitting that, as the Royals look to recreate their magic, they brought another one of those arms back. Wade Davis has returned to the organization, having signed a minor league contract.

Davis had signed an impressive three year deal with the Rockies to take over as their closer prior to the 2018 season. He was solid in that first year, leading the National League with 43 saves, but imploded thereafter. Over the past two seasons, he has posted a 9.77 ERA and a 1.957 WHiP, striking out 45 batters with 31 walks in 47 innings.

As ugly as those numbers are, Davis did fare much better on the road. He allowed 12 runs on 18 hits and 15 walks in his 20.1 innings, striking out 21 batters. Those numbers may not be spectacular, but they do give hope that getting away from Colorado could fix Davis’ struggles.

For the cost of a minor league deal, there is no harm in seeing if Davis can return to form. There are some potential pieces to build around in the bullpen, but the eighth and ninth innings are still wide open. If Davis can be that pitcher he once was, the Royals bullpen could be a formidable weapon once more.

Wade Davis was a key part of the Kansas City Royals bullpen buzzsaw. He is back as they look to recreate that magic.