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RHP Jason Hammel, Royals Agree To 2-Year Deal

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 $16M Deal For the Free Agent Pitcher Includes 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.

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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)

Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

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