The Royals found a replacement for Yordano Ventura, agreeing with free agent Jason Hammel on a two-year deal:
The Kansas City Royals signed former Cubs right-hander Jason Hammel to a two-year contract Sunday. The deal, which reportedly includes $16 million guaranteed, is pending a physical.
The Cubs declined Hammel’s $12 million option for 2017, making him a free agent. He went 15-10 last season with a 3.83 ERA in 30 regular-season starts. He didn’t pitch in the postseason.
The Royals are reeling from the death of starting pitcher Yordano Ventura, who was killed in a car accident two weeks ago in the Dominican Republic. General manager Dayton Moore had said he planned to fill Ventura’s spot before spring training.
Hammel is a good middle of the rotation starter, with decent strikeout and walk rates. The Cubs got to use him as a fifth starter, which demonstrates the depth of the 2016 Chicago rotation. I suspect a move to Kansas City will help a bit with Hammel’s home run rate.
As a replacement for Ventura, Hammel will play 2017 as a 34-year-old. He’s a short term replacement, lacking the upside of Ventura. Given the money and Hammel’s ability, it’s an excellent signing for the Royals.
from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2lakERc
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