3 players for Kansas City Royals to target this offseason
By David Hill
Sean Manaea
Sean Manaea may have never actually thrown a pitch for the Kansas City Royals, but he is a part of their history.
Manaea was part of the package sent to the A’s for Ben Zobrist at the trade deadline in 2015. That deal added another veteran bat to a lineup in desperate need of one, helping propel the Royals to their second World Series title.
As with the aforementioned Clevinger, he is coming off of a down year. Manaea had posted a disappointing 4.96 ERA and a 1.297 WHiP in his 158 innings, striking out 156 batters with 50 walks. As was the case with Clevinger, that ERA was the worst mark of his career.
But Manaea also has a trait that the Royals desperately need. Aside from his 2019 season when he was working back from injury, he takes the ball every fifth day and provides solid innings. Considering the Royals questions in both the rotation and bullpen, they need that type of arm. He could potentially be a longer term asset as well, someone they can look to build the rotation around.
Sean Manaea never threw a pitch for the Kansas City Royals despite being in their farm system for three years. It is time to bring him back.