"The Royals picked up both arms in a trade sending backup catcher Freddy Fermin to the Padres. It was a nice bit of business for Picollo and his staff. Bergert combined for a 3.66 earned run average with a solid 22.6% strikeout rate over his first 19 MLB appearances. He sits in the 93-94 MPH range and has an above-average slider. If he can develop a better changeup or add a cutter against left-handed hitters, he could be a mid-rotation arm."
"Kolek is a former Rule 5 selection who moved back to the rotation after spending his rookie year working out of San Diego's bullpen. He's also in the 93-94 MPH range with his fastball and uses six pitches with regularity. Kolek's stuff has never played for many whiffs, but he got ground-balls at a strong 51.4% clip over 19 starts this year. He tallied 112 2/3 innings of 3.51 ERA ball, and while that's better than his peripherals suggest, he looks like a fine fourth/fifth starter."
"(The Cardinals are among the teams known to like Cameron, who is coming off a 2.99 ERA across 24 starts as a rookie.) Bergert and Kolek are less established but also have extended windows of club control. Bergert has yet to reach a full service year and is under control for six seasons; Kolek has a little over one year of service, so he's controllable for five years."
The Royals are open to trading from their starting rotation to acquire outfield help. Left-hander Bubic is the likeliest candidate as he approaches his final arbitration season. Kansas City has received inquiries on Noah Cameron, Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek, all controllable pitchers. Cameron posted a 2.99 ERA across 24 starts as a rookie. Bergert and Kolek arrived in a deadline trade and provide extended club control, with Bergert controllable for six seasons and Kolek for five. Bergert profiles as a potential mid-rotation arm with a strong slider and strikeout rate, while Kolek projects as a fourth/fifth starter with elite ground-ball tendencies.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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