The Kansas City Royals have secured another addition to their bullpen, signing right-hander Chris Stratton to a lucrative two-year contract worth $8 million, as reported by MLB.com. This move comes shortly after the Royals also acquired the Texas Rangers’ 2023 saves leader, Will Smith, who signed a one-year deal with Kansas City. The 33-year-old Stratton, who was part of a deadline trade with the St. Louis Cardinals that involved starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery, is set to earn $3.5 million for the upcoming season, with a player option of $4.5 million for 2025.
In the 2023 season, Stratton showcased his pitching prowess with a 3.92 ERA across 64 relief appearances split between the Cardinals and the Rangers. During his 29 innings with the Rangers, he maintained a solid 3.41 ERA. However, his postseason performance was marked by four runs allowed on four hits and two walks in four innings over four appearances. With a career spanning since his 2016 MLB debut with the San Francisco Giants, Stratton has had stints with five different clubs, including the Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates, and aforementioned Cardinals. Over his 302 career MLB appearances, he holds a record of 37-24 with a 4.43 ERA, a 1.411 WHIP, 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings, 12 saves, and a 1.8 WAR.
The Royals’ recent acquisitions reflect a strategic strengthening of their bullpen, with Stratton joining Will Smith as the latest assets. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers, who initially acquired Stratton in a bid to fortify their relief pitching, continue to seek additional arms to bolster their bullpen. Despite securing pitchers like Kirby Yates, Jose Leclerc, Josh Sborz, Brock Burke, and Cody Bradford, the Rangers anticipate making further signings before the commencement of Spring Training, aiming to solidify their roster for the upcoming season. As it stands, these five pitchers are seen as likely candidates to occupy five of the 13 bullpen spots on the opening-day roster for the Texas Rangers.
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