It's been a surprisingly good/active off-season for the Kansas City Royals. The Royals are known for not spending a lot during the off-season. Well, this off-season that hasn't been the case. So far, the Royals have spent a total of $105 million on free-agents.
It can be argued that the Royals have been the most active team this off-season. They've already signed a total of six free-agents. It's a good thing to see a lower-end market team spend big like the Royals are.
So far, the Royals have inked deals with RHP Seth Lugo, RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Chris Stratton, LHP Will Smith, INF Garrett Hampson, and OF Hunter Renfroe.
(Seth Lugo, RHP)
The Royals signed Seth Lugo to a three-year, $45 million contract. This is probably their biggest move thus far. Seth Lugo had his first season as a starter with the Padres. He was pretty solid. In 26 games, Lugo posted a 8-7 record, 3.57 ERA, 140 SO, and a 1.20 WHIP.
(Michael Wacha, RHP)
The Royals also added starting pitcher, Michael Wacha. They signed him to two-year, $32 million contract. Just like Lugo, this is going to help their rotation a lot. In 2023, Wahca started in 24 games, he played a 14-4 record, 3.22 ERA, 124 SO, and a 1.16 WHIP.
(Chris Stratton, RHP)
The Royals added to their bullpen by signing Chris Stratton to a one-year, $3.5 million contract, with a $4.5 million player option for 2025. The Royals added to their starting rotation, but they also added to their bullpen with this move. In 64 games, Stratton posted a 2-1 record, 3.92 ERA, 81 SO, and a 1.14 WHIP.
(Will Smith, LHP)
The Royals didn't stop adding to their bullpen with just Chris Stratton, they also signed three time World Series Champion, Will Smith to a one-year, $5 million contract. Will Smith has been a solid pitcher his whole career. In 2023, Smith pitched in 60 games, he posted a 2-7 record, 4.40 ERA, 55 SO, and a 1.06 WHIP.
(Hunter Renfroe, OF)
The Royals added to their outfield by signing Hunter Renfroe to a two-year, $13 million contract, which includes a player option for the second year. Hunter Renfroe was a power hitting hitter in 2023, which is what the Royals wanted. In 498 at-bats, he slashed .233/.297/.416, with 20 HR's, 60 RBI's, and a .713 OPS.
(Garrett Hampson, INF)
This move was probably the Royals smallest move, they signed INF Garrett Hampson to a one-year, $2 million contract. Hampson was a decent player in 2023, he mostly was a bench player, although he filled that role pretty good. In 221 at-bats, Hampson slashed .276/.349/.380, with 3 HR's, 23 RBI's, and a .729 OPS.
All in all, the Kansas City Royals have been one of the most active teams this off-season. They've added to their pitching rotation, bullpen, outfield, and infield. It's a great thing to see, and hopefully the Royals keep adding to their sqaud. With how the AL Central is up to be, the Royals could possibly be in contention to win the division.
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