Senators Bet on Bullpen Future, Acquire Troy Percival from Blue Jays for ’96 First-Round Pick
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Just days after falling to the Kansas City Royals in the World Series, the Washington Senators front office has wasted no time reloading for 1996. The club announced late Saturday night that it has acquired hard-throwing right-hander Troy Percival from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for one of its 1996 first-round picks — a selection originally acquired from Toronto in a prior trade.
Percival, 26, threw just 1.2 innings in 1995 but his electric stuff continues to tantalize scouts and rival executives alike. With a fastball regularly touching 96 mph and a hard-biting curve, Percival is widely projected to become one of the game’s elite closers — provided he can stay healthy.
“This is a move for October,” said team president Alex Cumana. “Troy has the makeup, the arm, and the hunger to close out games in October. We want him doing that in a Senators uniform.”
The Senators, who surprised many with their breakout postseason run through the Doubleday Baseball League, are clearly not content with standing pat. Despite shipping off the Toronto pick, Washington still holds a stockpile of seven first-round selections over the next three drafts, giving them continued flexibility as they build around a nucleus that includes slugger Albert Belle and ace Andy Pettitte.
Kansas City, meanwhile, is betting on value and upside. By dealing Percival — who was blocked in their bullpen — to secure a pick that could land in the top ten of the 1996 draft if Toronto regress or injury strikes.
“They’re taking a smart bet,” said one anonymous front office executive of Kansas City. “Toronto thinks they can compete in the short term by adding Robby Thompson and shuffling their roster. They love trading nickels for quarters in Toronto. That pick could convey in the top ten.”
The move also signals a continuation of Kansas City’s influence on the offseason market. Fresh off their championship, the Royals have set the tone for how teams need to construct postseason bullpens — and the Senators appear to be following suit.
While Percival may not immediately take over the ninth inning — veteran Lee Smith is still under contract — the expectation is clear: the Senators see Percival as their long-term answer in the back end of games. His presence could help shorten games in October, something they sorely missed in their World Series collapse.
As winter meetings approach, league insiders expect Washington to remain aggressive.
“They’ve got the capital,” the executive added. “Seven first-round picks? They’re just getting started.”