The Kansas City Royals boasted a strong pitching staff this season, but right-hander Trevor Richards was not much of a contributor.
After starting the year with the Chicago Cubs’ Triple-A team, Richards appeared in just three games for Kansas City, recording a 12.00 ERA before being designated for assignment on June 11. He chose free agency two days later.
A changeup specialist, Richards finished the season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but the eight-year veteran is once again a free agent after a difficult year that offered limited major league opportunities.
Trevor Richards elects free agency
According to the transaction log on his official roster page, Trevor Richards once again chose free agency—this time departing from the Arizona Diamondbacks. After being designated for assignment on July 26, he cleared waivers and finished the season with Triple-A Reno.
Across 38 minor-league appearances this year, Richards posted a 5.19 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. His most impressive stretch came with the Royals’ Triple-A club, where he recorded a 1.69 ERA over 10 1/3 innings.
Throughout his major league career, Richards has pitched for the Blue Jays, Rays, Marlins, Brewers, Twins, Royals, and Diamondbacks. His peak season came in 2019, when he logged a 4.06 ERA and 2.0 bWAR over 135 1/3 innings split between Tampa Bay and Miami.
Last season, Richards spent nearly the entire year in the majors, handling some high-leverage innings for Toronto before being traded to Minnesota at the deadline.
This year, Kansas City took several flyers on veteran pitchers via minor-league contracts, including former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel, ex-Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer, and 45-year-old Rich Hill.
Richards now faces an uphill battle to return to the majors on a full-time basis. However, a minor-league deal with a spring training invite could offer him another shot—if he can put together a strong offseason.
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