The Royals acquired left-hander Tucker Davidson from the Angels in exchange for cash, the teams announced. Davidson, whom the Angels designated for assignment over the weekend, will be added directly to Kansas City’s big league roster. He’s out of minor league options.
Davidson, 27, was long one of the more promising farmhands in the Braves’ farm system and made his way to the Rangers by way of last summer’s Raisel Iglesias trade. That swap was more about the Angels shedding Iglesias’ salary than it was about adding either Davidson or veteran Jesse Chavez — also in the trade — but the organization had surely hoped to get Davidson back on track after a rough year in Triple-A.
Things haven’t played out that way, however. Davidson made eight starts with the Angels following the trade last year but struggled to a 6.87 ERA in 36 2/3 innings. A move to the bullpen this season didn’t bring about meaningful improvement; in 31 2/3 innings across 18 relief appearances, the lefty has a 6.54 ERA with a 20.9% strikeout rate and 7.4% walk rate. A .412 average on balls in play points to some bad luck, but Davidson has also seen his average fastball dip from 93.1 mph to 91.6 mph — despite the fact that he’s now been working in short relief stints.
Davidson provides the Royals with some nearly free depth on the pitching side of things at a time when the rest of their once-touted young arms have seen their development stall. None of Brady Singer, Daniel Lynch, Jackson Kowar, Kris Bubic, Asa Lacy or the other college arms on which Kansas City’s rebuild has been riding have established themselves as consistent big league starters. The Royals recently bought low on lefty Taylor Hearn in a deal with the Braves and will add Davidson to their pile of once highly regarded arms. It’s not clear whether they’ll use him in relief or in the rotation, but the Royals’ pitching staff could use help in both areas.
More former misfit Braves in KC.
As a fan of both teams I get this strange sense of Deja Vu.
Blockbuster of the Day!
The Royals are desperate for pitching. They are inquiring on the availability of Venus de Milo.
HUGE
Yay!
LOL – the Royals making another stunning trade deadline move. Watching the wire for other crazy Royals’ trades, like maybe Jesse Scholtens from the White Sox, or Hobie Harris from the Nationals?
You wish!
Yeah. Who said the Royals are selling!
The next Wade Davis but left handed like Ned Flanders!
Should have asked for Moustakas, too.
I think he’s having fun playing third base again. No need to trade for him 😉
The Royals are all in!
So, Minasian sold Iglesias for a hack and some cash? Traitor!
In the end, Perry salary dumped Inglesias and got Estevez for half the price
HAHA, even the Royals make a trade and the Yanks…do nothing at all….. ! (Ol’ George rolls over again)
Wouldn’t be a trade deadline without a Jesse Chavez reference!
Another fail by Coppy. He was so overrated in ATL.
If the a’s and royals formed one team. Would they be .500 ?
Are you only counting wins combined or also losses?
Davidson had a great spring. His velocity SAS actually up in the spring. Good pick up by the Royals. He will be in their starting rotation next season. Say bye bye to Brady Singer. I think he will get traded today. This is the tell tale sign.
You do know this guy is a RELIEVER, not a starter??? Why would he take over in the rotation?
Davidson is a starter. Angels just didn’t have a spot for him in the rotation so he became the long reliever because he had no more options
He can start, but that being said he wasn’t very good. He did better in a long relief role.
Did you look him up at all before commenting? Or just look at some stats and mail it in?
I actually watched his games, I’m not a stat nerd
that was meant for the royalsfanamongwolves. My guess is he might get time in both.
He doesn’t look very good, maybe he needs consistency, he did good for a inning or two
I looked him up and I’m assuming that they plan to put them in the bullpen. After all, they did trade Jose Cuas,, who was part of the bullpen. Unless this is a replacement for Daniel Lynch (rotation), who may possibly be having shoulder surgery?
He was decent in the beginning of the season when they brought him in the 6/7 inning
What a great pick up. Sure he has an ERA notth of 6 but he has a 162738472 spin rate that he routinely locates over the middle of the plate.
“their pile of once highly regarded arms.“
What a sad team. And they’re not getting better any time soon. Perfect time to ask the taxpayer for 2billion!!!