A series by your favorite esteemed writer Graham Wexler looking at one potential off-season trade per team.
WASHINGTON SENATORS ACQUIRE RP TROY PERCIVAL FROM THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS FOR THE 1996 1ST ROUND PICK VIA TORONTO
The Washington Senators have been very clear about their interest in the elite reliever market all offseason, and with good reason. As they scour the market, who qualifies as an elite reliever? They want someone cost controlled to fit with their timeline that won’t cost an arm and a leg. With no elite relievers in this year’s draft, we look to last year – Mariano Rivera feels untouchable and Billy Wagner hasn’t been talked about as publicly available, although both aren’t the respective closers on their teams (while noting that both St. Louis and Pittsburgh often focus on bullpen strength). Enter Troy Percival.
Why It Works for Washington
Despite having one of the most fearsome lineups and a good rotation (that will be added to presumably with a couple of bats and Livan Hernandez in the draft), the Senators’ bullpen needs consistency. With no clear answer emerging internally, Washington has been aggressively hunting for a young, high-upside reliever with swing-and-miss stuff. That hunt ends with Troy Percival.
Though his sample size in 1995 was small (4 games, 1.2 IP), Percival is already one of the most tantalizing arms in the game. A former first-round pick (20th overall in 1994), the 26-year-old posted a 3.20 ERA over 22 games in the Hugg Baseball League (AAA) with 25 strikeouts in 19.2 innings, a WHIP of just 0.61, and a dominant 11.44 K/9.
His arsenal is electric:
- Fastball: 94–96 mph with elite ride (OSA grade: 17/17)
- Curveball: Devastating bite (17/17)
- Changeup: Solid secondary option (14/14)
- Slider: Fourth pitch, less used (11/11)
According to OSA scouting, his “Stuff” grade is 18/18, signaling elite strikeout potential. Add in a neutral platoon split and a calm presence under pressure—he pitched in both the HBL and DBL postseasons in 1995—and the Senators see Percival as a potential future closer or shutdown setup man alongside their current arms.
Why It Works for Kansas City
With Percival coming off a World Series win, the Royals’ leverage is at its peak. But Kansas City has depth on top of depth on top of depth on top of depth, and moving a young, cost-controlled reliever—especially one with so little MLB mileage—might seem counterintuitive. Yet the logic is simple: the Royals don’t need Percival and will take a chance on the draft pick. Depending on what Toronto does this year, that Toronto pick could be a great one.
The Risk/Reward Equation
For Washington, the risk is clear: they’re trading a premium draft asset for a pitcher with 1.2 career DBL innings and some rough patches in AAA (including a rocky 16.20 ERA in the HBL postseason). But they’re betting on the stuff—fastball/curve/change—and the makeup. His 3.38 ERA over 2.2 innings in the DBL playoffs suggests he can hold his own in big spots.
For Kansas City, the reward is delayed but potentially massive. If that Toronto pick turns into an everyday outfielder or impact infielder, it’s a win.
Final Word: Gone are the days of great relief pitchers going for mid round picks. And honestly, Washington should be aiming higher than that. Elite relievers cost elite prices and there aren’t many relievers with the combination of rates, contract, and age than Percival. If he becomes the next great United League closer, this deal could be the catalyst for a 1996 championship in D.C.