This is the Royals replacement for Santana 
Well did you really expect to get someone like Santana?
If they want to compete for a playoff spot, yes.
Cause it's totally reasonable to expect the Royals to pay someone like that.
They could absolutely throw 5/75 at a pitcher. Only way this offsets the loss of a legitimate #2 starter is if they throw money at RF or 2B and hope the offense somehow becomes respectable.
In a vacuum I like the signing, but only as a Chen replacement, not your #2 starter.
Sherzer/Shields
Verlander/Vargas
Sanchez/Guthrie
Thats who we're chasing. So, uh, lets hope Duffy or Ventura are the real deal.