Free-agent pitcher Jason Hammel and the Kansas City Royals agreed on a $16 million, two-year deal on Sunday, and the contract comes with an option for a third year.
The option is a mutual one, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported the deal, pending a physical would pay the 34-year-old Hammel $8 million per year.
All offseason, Royals officials have said the team’s payroll would not exceed the franchise-record of more than $140 million in 2016.
Hammel went 15-10 with a 3.83 ERA and recorded 144 strikeouts in 30 starts with the reigning World Series champion Chicago Cubs last season. The right-hander did not pitch in the postseason. The Cubs declined Hammel’s $12 million option for 2017, which made him one of the best starters on the free-agent market.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
The Cubs acquired lefty Mike Montgomery in a trade with Seattle last July, and he could replace Hammel in the rotation.
In two seasons with Chicago, Hammel went 33-2 with a 3.59 ERA in 78 starts. The righty first signed with the Cubs in February 2014 and went 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA in 17 starts that season. He was then traded to Oakland in the deal that brought shortstop Addison Russell to Chicago. Hammel then re-signed with the Cubs the following December for $20 million for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Newly signed pitcher Brett Anderson, who signed a minor league deal with the Cubs earlier this offseason, could also play a greater role in the team’s rotation.
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 19: Jason Hammel #39 of the Chicago Cubs throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning on September 19, 2016 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson is reportedly settling in well with the Baltimore Ravens after the…
Aaron Judge seemed to flip the script on his disastrous World Series and postseason with…
The New York Yankees' 2024 season came to a screeching halt Wednesday night when the…
The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 to win…
https://youtu.be/Y69VZZt9rt4 Brad Pitt made a surprise appearance at the Mexican Grand Prix’s practice round on Oct. 26.…
Joel Embiid’s name came up twice in NBA news this week as he continues to…