Royals acquire Jason Frasor from Rangers

The Kansas City Royals have acquired right-handed reliever Jason Frasor in a trade with the Texas Rangers, per a team announcement. In return, the Rangers will receive Triple-A right-hander Spencer Patton.

An elite unit over the past few years, the Royals' bullpen is once again stellar this season, boasting a 3.2 staff WAR that ranks fourth in the majors and a 3.40 FIP that ranks ninth. However, after the trio of Greg Holland, Wade Davis, and Kelvin Herrera, their relief depth thins out fast, as Luke Hochevar went down before the season started and guys such as Tim Collins, Michael Mariot, and Louis Coleman have performed poorly. This move represents the Royals' second bullpen addition in the last two weeks, as they recently signed the 38-year-old Scott Downs, who has already made four appearances with the club.

The 36-year-old Frasor has long been rumored as a probable trade candidate due to his impending free agency and the Rangers' early-season collapse. The veteran reliever is owed just over $700,000 for the remainder of the season, and has proven to be a reliable late-innings arm. In 29.2 innings this season, Frasor has a 3.34 ERA, 122 ERA+, 3.51 FIP, 9.1 K/9, and 4.2 BB/9. He has a career 3.65 ERA in 624 appearances.

The 26-year-old Patton had a 4.08 ERA, 11.7 K/9, and 4.3 BB/9 in just over 46 innings at Triple-A Omaha this year, and is not considered to be much of a prospect.  He will play in Wednesday's Triple-A All-Star game before reporting to Triple-A Round Rock.

To make room on the roster for Frasor, the Royals designated infielder Jimmy Paredes for assignment and optioned Coleman to Triple-A. Paredes has appeared in nine games for the Royals this season, and is hitting .305/.332/.457 in 280 plate appearances at Triple-A. Coleman has a 7.48 ERA in 20 appearances this year after posting a minuscule  0.61 ERA in 27 appearances for Kansas City last season.