Kansas City Royals should bring back Zack Greinke

The Kansas City Royals will be in an enviable place if everything goes according to plan. They have a trio of top prospects for the lineup on the cusp of the majors, and a young pitching staff that could dominate in the near future. The future certainly seems bright.

But those young arms also need to have someone there as a mentor. Someone who has not only been through the battles on the diamond, but also the highs and lows as a person. Someone who was a former top prospect himself and knows what it is like to fight to live up to expectations. Fortunately, that player is available in free agency in the form of Zack Greinke.

Kansas City Royals should bring Zack Greinke back home

The former sixth overall pick in the 2002 MLB Draft, Greinke almost walked away from the game. He suffered a mental breakdown while throwing a bullpen session in 2006, leaving the Royals to battle depression and anxiety. The organization stuck by him, letting him take all the time he needed to get right mentally, letting him know that he still had a place on the roster if he wanted. He would return later that season, even making three relief appearances in the majors.

Greinke has continued that battle en route to what may be a Hall of Fame career. He has overcome those issues to become a six time All Star and the 2009 AL Cy Young winner. Additionally, he has six Gold Glove awards, has led the league in ERA twice, and has won two Silver Sluggers. He has become a solid all around pitcher, one who understands the game inside and out.

That type of knowledge can be a tremendous asset for a younger team. Those developing arms would be able to learn from Greinke, watching his preparation and picking his mind to learn their craft. His ability to see the game from a different perspective, to notice those small things that no one else does, can make a major difference to those prospects.

He is no longer the ace that he once was. Greinke has to get by with his innate knowledge of pitching, ability to change speeds, and location these days. His margin for error is thin, and he will not make the Royals a contender in 2022. But he could pay dividends for the long run, especially if he was to teach those young pitchers what he knows.

The Kansas City Royals pitching staff needs a mentor who has been through all the battles before. Zack Greinke would be a perfect addition in that role.