Royals, LHP Cole Ragans agree to 3-year extension
Coming off his first All-Star campaign, Kansas City left-hander Cole Ragans agreed to a three-year extension with the Royals, the team announced Friday.The Royals did not confirm financial terms, but multiple sources reported the deal is worth $13.25 million.Ragans, 27, who will be a free agent following the 2028 season, will earn $1.25 million in 2025, $4.5 million in 2026 and $7.5 million in 2027, according to ESPN.In his second season in Kansas City in 2024, Ragans emerged as the staff's ace and helped the club reach the postseason, posting an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA in 32 starts.He led the American League with 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings, finishing with 223 whiffs along with 67 walks in 186 1/3 innings. In two postseason starts, he went 1-1 with a 0.90 ERA, allowing one run in 10 innings.
Reports: Royals adding former Phillies closer Carlos Estevez
The Kansas City Royals have reached an agreement with free agent right-handed closer Carlos Estevez on a two-year contract, according to multiple media reports Wednesday evening.Estevez, an All-Star in 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels, split last season between the Angels and the Philadelphia Phillies, who acquired him on July 27 ahead of the trade deadline last summer.The contract is worth a reported $22 million, though the Royals are yet to confirm the deal.Estevez, who turned 32 on Dec. 28, was a combined 4-5 with a 2.45 ERA, 26 saves, 12 walks and 50 strikeouts in 55 innings over 54 relief appearances last season.
Reports: RHP Michael Lorenzen re-signing with Royals
Veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen, who helped the Kansas City Royals earn a wild-card spot in the 2024 postseason, is re-signing with the club on a one-year contract, multiple media outlets reported Monday.Per ESPN, Lorenzen agreed to a one-year, $7 million deal with a mutual $12 million option for 2026. MLB.com reported that the mutual option includes a $1.5 million buyout.Acquired from the Texas Rangers in a trade deadline deal, the 33-year-old Lorenzen went 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA in 28 2/3 innings over seven games (six starts) with Kansas City. Overall in 2024, he was 7-6 with a 3.31 ERA in 130 1/3 innings over 26 games (24 starts).
