KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hunter Renfroe and the Kansas City Royals finalized a $13 million, two-year contract Tuesday, filling the most important offensive gap for a membership that has spent closely in free company in an try to go from worst to first within the AL Central.
The power-hitting outfielder, who turns 32 subsequent month, will get a $5.5 million wage from Kansas City for the upcoming season. Renfroe’s deal additionally features a $7.5 million participant possibility for 2025 with a $1 million buyout.
“They talent they’ve brought through the minor leagues and who they have in the major leagues right now is pretty spectacular,” Renfroe mentioned, “and the guys they added this offseason made it a no-brainer for me. The way the Central is now, there is no doubt that we can contend in it.”
The Royals misplaced 106 video games final season, when accidents punched holes of their lineup and their pitching employees was among the many worst in baseball. General supervisor J.J. Picollo has spent closely over the previous few weeks in an try to construct depth and remake each their rotation and the bullpen, touchdown a pair of starters together with some influence relievers.
The Royals signed right-hander Seth Lugo to a $45 million, three-year deal and fellow starter Michael Wacha to a $32 million, two-year pact, which stuffed two evident holes within the rotation. They additionally signed left-hander Will Smith to a $5 million contract to shut out video games, and right-handed reliever Chris Stratton to a $4 million deal to carry onto leads.
Utility man Garrett Hampson was added for $2 million, and the Royals swung trades with Atlanta to land right-handed reliever Nick Anderson and right-handed starter Kyle Wright, who can be prepared in 2025 after rehabbing from shoulder surgical procedure.
“When we left Nashville (and the winter meetings), I’ll say there was some disappointment because I didn’t feel like we were making headway like we wanted to,” Picollo mentioned. “But we look up 10 days after the winter meetings end, and you look at our team now versus 10 days ago – it’s vastly different. It’s a much deeper team. It’s a more experienced team.”
Renfroe has primarily performed proper area, however he can also play heart area and first base. He hit .233 with 20 homers and 60 RBIs this previous season, when a sizzling begin became a troublesome end, whereas splitting time with the Angels and Reds.
He has a profession .239 common with 177 homers and 454 RBIs in eight massive league seasons, together with time with San Diego (2016-19), Tampa Bay (2020), Boston (2021) and Milwaukee (2022). He additionally has 65 outfield assists.
“He’s going to be a run-producer,” mentioned Royals supervisor Matt Quatraro, who was on the Rays employees when Renfroe performed for Tampa Bay. “He’s going to try to execute every time he gets up there. That’s one of the things Hunter won’t say about himself, but he is one of the most competitive guys I’ve ever been around.”
The Royals designated right-hander Max Castillo for project to create house for Renfroe on the 40-man roster.
Castillo was acquired from Toronto on Aug. 2, 2022, together with infielder Samad Taylor within the commerce that despatched second baseman and outfielder Whit Merrifield to the Blue Jays. The 24-year-old Castillo was 0-3 with a 6.69 ERA in 4 begins and eight aid appearances with the Royals, together with 0-1 with a 4.43 ERA in seven aid outings this 12 months.
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