KC Royals trade for veteran Jason Frasor to improve bullpen
The Royals continued to make supplemental tweaks to their roster, in search of low-cost improvements, by acquiring right-handed reliever Jason Frasor from Texas on Wednesday. Kansas City shipped minor-league reliever Spencer Patton in exchange for the 36-year-old.
Jimmy Paredes was designated for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster for Frasor. The team also optioned righty Louis Coleman to Class AAA Omaha.
Frasor struck out 30 batters in 29 1/3 innings with the Rangers. He has a 3.34 ERA in 38 games.
The team has spent most of this season looking for stability in the middle of its bullpen. Coleman and lefty Tim Collins were key contributors to the unit in 2013. But neither has been effective this season. With Collins in Omaha, the Royals signed veteran southpaw Scott Downs at the beginning of the month.
Frasor appears to fit a similar void, providing manager Ned Yost with more reliable options on the bridge to his late-game duo of Wade Davis and Greg Holland.
Patton posted a 4.04 ERA for the Storm Chasers this season.
To reach Andy McCullough, call 816-234-4370 or send email to rmccullough@kcstar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @McCulloughStar.
This story was originally published July 16, 2014 at 11:43 AM with the headline "KC Royals trade for veteran Jason Frasor to improve bullpen."