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).
Royals land 2B Jonathan India, send Brady Singer to Reds
The Kansas City Royals dealt right-handed starting pitcher Brady Singer to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for second baseman Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer on Friday.The Reds moved on from India, the 2021 National League Rookie of the Year, as they build their infield around star Elly De La Cruz. India has one year remaining on his current contract and is arbitration eligible in 2026.India, 27, appeared in 151 games in 2024 and batted .248 with 15 home runs, 28 doubles and 58 RBIs. In 523 games over four years with the Reds, who drafted India fifth overall in 2018, he has batted .253 with 63 homers, 101 doubles, 229 RBIs and 42 steals.Wiemer, 25, split the 2024 season between Milwaukee and Cincinnati and went 4-for-26 with two runs in 21 appearances.
Royals' Matt Quatraro among finalists named for Manager of the Year
The Kansas City Royals saw a 30-game improvement in 2024 under manager Matt Quatraro, one of six finalists for Manager of the Year honors announced Monday.Quatraro, 50, oversaw a stunning turnaround for the Royals, who were coming off a lifeless 56-106 last-place finish in 2023. A similar roster in 2024 became a winning squad under Quatraro's direction, going 86-76 with a second-place finish in the American League Central.This year's Royals earned a 2-0 sweep of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL wild-card series before dropping an AL Division Series to the New York Yankees three games to one.Quatraro will have stiff competition in the AL from two divisional rivals, A.J. Hinch of the Detroit Tigers and Stephen Vogt of the Cleveland Guardians.Hinch matched Quatraro by directing an 86-76 club that found postseason success. Hinch's Tigers swept the Houston Astros 2-0 in the other AL wild-card series and pushed the Guardians to five games in the ALDS before losing 3-2.Meanwhile, the first-place Guardians and Vogt had the most successful season of the bunch, winning 92 games and taking that postseason series with Detroit to make their first AL Championship Series since 2016. They lost in five games (4-1) to the Yankees.
Royals keep RHP Michael Wacha on reported $51M deal
Royals right-hander Michael Wacha will remain in Kansas City for the next three seasons, agreeing to a $51 million deal that could max out at $72 million, multiple media outlets reported on Sunday.The Royals announced they had agreed to a new contract with Wacha, featuring a club option for 2028, but did not disclose financial terms.Per the reports, Wacha, 33, will earn $18 million in 2025 and 2026 and $14 million in 2027. According to ESPN, the third year of the deal could be worth an additional $4 million in performance bonuses. The $14 million club option, with a $1 million buyout, includes the same $4 million in incentives.A 12-year veteran, Wacha was expected to opt out of the final year of his two-year, $32 million deal he signed last winter, ESPN reported. Instead he will remain with the Royals, who reached the postseason but lost to the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.The Royals were able to negotiate with Wacha during the five-day quiet period after the World Series when teams can re-sign their pending free agents.
Royals C Salvador Perez receives Roberto Clemente Award
Kansas City Royals All-Star catcher Salvador Perez was named the 2024 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award on Monday.The award is given to the Major League Baseball player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team."Perez, the first-ever member of the Royals to receive the honor, will be presented with the award during a pregame press conference at Yankee Stadium before Monday night's Game 3 of the World Series between the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees.Perez was nominated by the Royals for his extraordinary efforts to build healthy and active communities in his native Valencia, Venezuela, as well as in Kansas City.A nine-time All-Star and former World Series MVP, Perez batted .271 with 27 home runs and 104 RBIs for the Royals this past season. The Royals lost to the Yankees in the American League Division Series.
