Royals to look for pitching next winter

Jonathan Sanchez has been a huge bust for Kansas City this year

The Royals believe that they will sign a big name starting pitcher next off-season. The Royals pitching staff is currently ranked 28th in baseball with a combined 5.16 ERA.

A Royals official told reporters that his team is going to look for top notch pitchers, not back end of the rotation pitchers. "Not a fifth starter, but a real starting pitcher," the official said. Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com believes that Shaun Marcum could be a fit given that he is a Missouri native and the club showed interest in him in the past.

Kansas City's rotation currently consists of Bruce Chen, Luke Hochevar, Luis Mendoza, Jonathan Sanchez, and Everett Teaford. Felipe Paulino, Danny Duffy, Blake Wood, and Joakim Soria all had their seasons cut short following Tommy John surgery.

Former Royal Zack Greinke is a free agent next winter, along with Cole Hamels, Anibal Sanchez, Edwin Jackson, Ryan Dempster and Hiroki Kuroda.