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Kansas City Royals sign lottery ticket in Arodys Vizcaino

By David Hill

Jun 14, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino (38) celebrates the final out of the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino (38) celebrates the final out of the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Kansas City Royals had planned to focus on their bullpen this offseason. However, to this point, they have done virtually nothing to address the holes on their roster. Given some of the contracts handed out to relievers this offseason, the Royals may have to hope to find some diamonds in the rough.

The Royals have taken the first step in that direction. They have signed former Braves reliever Arodys Vizcaino to a minor league contract, presumably with an invitation to the major league portion of spring training.

Kansas City Royals take chance on Arodys Vizcaino

There was a time when Vizcaino was a key piece in the Braves bullpen. He had served as a co-closer, reaching double digits in saves from 2016 through 2018. Overall, he posted a 3.01 ERA and a 1.286 WHiP in his 194.1 innings, notching 50 saves while striking out 218 batters and issuing 90 walks.

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Vizcaino’s career was derailed in 2019. He began the year as the Braves primary closer, but lasted only four games before being shut down. He then missed the rest of the year due to shoulder surgery, which also knocked him out for the 2020 season. Vizcaino signed a minor league deal with the Mets, eventually appearing in seven games as he allowed two runs on five hits and two walks in his 7.2 innings, striking out 14 batters.

While it has been a long journey back to the mound, Vizcaino showed signs that he could still be a valuable reliever with his performance in Triple-A. At just 31 years old, he could still have plenty of time left.

This is exactly the type of reliever the Royals should be targeting. For all of their talk about how they feel that they can contend, this is still a young team with plenty of holes. They need to sign potential lottery tickets such as Vizcaino, hoping to strike gold and possibly trade them for pieces for the future at the trade deadline.

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The Kansas City Royals have signed Arodys Vizcaino to a minor league deal. He is exactly the type of lottery ticket they should be looking at.

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