The real reason for this trade was so that the Royals could use rookie Joakim Soria as the closer because Kyle Davies is a bad starting pitcher.  Davies started 17 games this season for the Braves and he was 4-8 with a 5.76 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP!  In 86 innings this year he has allowed 92 hits, walked 44 batters and whiffed 59.  His career numbers are awful so it looks to me like GM Drayton Moore was doing his old team a favor by making this trade.  Davies has pitched in 52 major league games over his career (45 starts) and he was 14-21 with a 6.15 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP.  In 237 innings for the Braves Davies allowed 280 hits, walked 126 batters and whiffed 172.  Chances are that the Royals will let him try to work out his issues in AAA before he gets called up.

Octavio Dotel pitched in 24 games for the Royals this season and he was 2-1 with 11 saves, a 3.91 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP.  In 23 innings this season he allowed 24 hits, walked 11 batters and whiffed 29.  Despite the fact that Dotel has looked good this season the Royals wanted to give the closer’s role back to Joakim Soria.  Soria has pitched in 40 games this season for the Royals and he is 1-3 with 10 saves, a 2.44 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP.  Soria has worked 44.1 innings and he has allowed 31 hits, walked 15 batters and whiffed 51.  Look for him to continue doing a good job for the Royals