Kansas City Royals sign two former Red Sox
The Royals have been active in free agency, adding right-handed pitcher Seth Lugo earlier in the week. Now Kansas City is signing two former Red Sox players, outfielder Hunter Renfroe and starter Michael Wacha.
Renfroe agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million deal, that includes a $7.5 million player option for 2025, per MLB.com’s Anne Rogers.
Wacha will get a two-year, $32 million pact with the Royals, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The deal will also include $500,000 performances bonuses, per Rogers.
The 31-year-old Renfroe is on the move again, he will play for his seventh team in six years. Last season, he split time between the Angels and the Reds. Renfroe slashed .233/.297/.416/.713 with 20 homers and 31 doubles in 140 games (548 plate appearances).
While he was with the Red Sox, Renfroe belted 31 homers in his only season with Boston. He was traded during the offseason to the Brewers for infielders David Hamilton, Alex Binelas and outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr.
Wacha posted a strong season with the Padres going 14-4 with a 3.22 ERA in 24 starts. He spent time on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation. When he was with the Red Sox, the righty went 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA in 23 starters in 2022.
Wacha and Lugo will be added to Kansas City’s rotation that already includes Cole Ragans, Brady Singer and Jordan Lyles. The Royals have now spent $105 million in free agency this winter.
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KC strategy seems clear: along with Lugo they are good chips for the 2024 trading deadline if/when they are sellers.