As the Kansas City Royals gear up for the 2026 season, one area that still raises eyebrows is their bullpen. With several spots still in flux and closer Carlos Estévez not quite resembling the MLB saves leader from 2025 during spring training, the Royals' relief corps could use a shot in the arm.
Enter Taylor Clarke. Last season, Clarke emerged as a reliable option, stepping into high-pressure situations with poise. However, instead of retaining him for 2026, the Royals decided against tendering him a contract, allowing him to walk away in free agency.
Clarke found his way back to the Arizona Diamondbacks in January, and he's been making the Royals' decision look questionable. In 7.2 innings of spring training, Clarke has posted impressive numbers: a 1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and a .148 batting average against.
With the Diamondbacks' bullpen hit hard by injuries to key players like A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez, Clarke is poised to fill crucial high-leverage innings, projected to slot in right behind closer Paul Sewald.
Meanwhile, the Royals have their own set-up options in Lucas Erceg and the re-acquired Matt Strahm, who bring more stability and a longer track record of success. However, Estévez's slow start, particularly in terms of velocity, has raised concerns. Joel Penfield of KC Sports Network notes that Estévez's current form is "more than 'something to monitor.'"
In times like these, having more options to manage potential bullpen upheaval is invaluable. Clarke demonstrated last season that he's more than capable of handling set-up duties, and his departure is starting to look like a significant oversight.
While other departures, such as Angel Zerpa, might spark some trade regret, at least the Royals received valuable assets in return. Clarke, on the other hand, left for nothing, and that decision is increasingly appearing to be a misstep.