{"id":558,"date":"2016-09-19T21:41:07","date_gmt":"2016-09-20T01:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/?p=558"},"modified":"2016-09-19T21:41:07","modified_gmt":"2016-09-20T01:41:07","slug":"the-future-of-edinson-volquez-with-the-kansas-city-royals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2016\/09\/19\/the-future-of-edinson-volquez-with-the-kansas-city-royals\/","title":{"rendered":"Edinson Volquez’s Future with the Kansas City Royals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many Kansas City Royals<\/strong> free-agent signings, including Edinson Volquez<\/a><\/strong>, have a mutual option tacked on to the end of\u00a0their contracts.\u00a0The Royals\u00a0could try to extend Volquez\u2019s deal to\u00a0$10 million for one more year. If either party declines the option, the Royals will have to pay a $3 million buyout.<\/p>\n

The problem is, Volquez\u2019s numbers haven’t\u00a0looked very good this season. He\u2019s 10-11 with a 5.40 ERA in 175 innings pitched. According to Baseball-reference<\/strong>, Volquez has been worth less than replacement-level starters. If the team believes that assessment\u00a0is\u00a0exactly what\u00a0they can expect from him going forward, Volquez clearly\u00a0shouldn’t be\u00a0worth the\u00a0$10 million qualifying offer.<\/p>\n

Edinson Volquez’s Future with the Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/h2>\n

With teams aware of his struggles this season, Volquez might accept the $10 million mutual option. It’s possible that\u00a0he\u2019s incapable of capturing value coming off a poor statistical season. However, the free agent pitching market looks\u00a0to be relatively barren\u00a0this winter. Even the soon-to-be 33-year-old Volquez could draw a multi-year offer, despite his high ERA.\u00a0He\u00a0could then\u00a0take it because it could be his last chance at a large contract.<\/p>\n

This is where things get difficult. Kansas\u00a0City\u00a0could\u00a0decide to make Volquez a qualifying offer, which will require a one-year, $16.7 million contract. That choice would attach\u00a0a\u00a0draft pick compensation to Volquez. However, losing a pick could\u00a0lower Volquez\u2019s value to the point where he might accept the qualifying offer.<\/p>\n

The glaring concern with tying $16.7 million up in Volquez is that it\u00a0could prevent the Royals from bringing back\u00a0the hot bat in\u00a0Kendrys Morales<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0or re-signing closer Greg Holland<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0Most people\u00a0will probably\u00a0agree that\u00a0Morales’ 28 homers and\u00a0switch-hitting ability is worth more for next year than Volquez.\u00a0After the recent blunders of Joakim Soria<\/a><\/strong>, bolstering\u00a0the bullpen is an absolute must as well. It’s crucial\u00a0for Kansas City’s success to have a three-headed monster back for 2017.<\/p>\n

The reality of the situation is, Edinson Volquez is replaceable. The Kansas City Royals will have Ian Kennedy<\/a><\/strong>, Yordano Ventura<\/a><\/strong>, and Danny Duffy<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0under contract for 2017. Jason Vargas<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0will be in the last year of his deal at $8 million and Mike Minor<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0signed for $ 4 million in 2017. That would give the Royals five experienced starters for next year. The question is, how sure are the Royals that Mike Minor can pitch next season?<\/p>\n

The medical staff expected Minor to return in June from shoulder surgery to repair his torn labrum. And yet, here we are.\u00a0Minor suffered multiple setbacks in his rehab before Kansas City decided to\u00a0shut him down for the season. Behind those top five potential starters,\u00a0the Royals have prospects Matt Strahm<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and Josh Staumont<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0who might be ready for a rotation spot by next year. Who knows, maybe even Kyle Zimmer<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>could join\u00a0the picture as well.\u00a0Unfortunately, relying on Zimmer to\u00a0throw\u00a0regular innings after Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery is quite the gamble. He\u2019s struggled with injuries his entire professional career. If the Royals feel good about Minor, or the other two prospects, they could very well let Volquez go.<\/p>\n

Which of the following was the best moment of the first half:<\/a> in LastWordOnSports’s Hangs<\/a> on LockerDome<\/a><\/span>