Kansas City, Missouri (AP) The Kansas City Royals loved what they saw from Michael Lorenzen down the stretch last season, when they went from a 106-loss laughingstock to a surprising playoff team, owing in large part to their deadline trade from Texas.
Lorenzen also loved what he saw in Kansas City. That was a major reason he chose to return this season.
The Royals and the right-hander agreed to a $7 million, one-year contract Wednesday, placing him solidly in the running for a position in the starting rotation. The contract includes a mutual option for 2026 worth $2.5 million in annual performance bonuses.
The 33-year-old was acquired by Kansas City in a trade with Texas shortly before the deadline last July and proved to be a valuable member of the team down the stretch.
He went 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA in six starts and one relief appearance to help the Royals win a wild card, then threw 2 1/3 innings in two playoff games. Lorenzen lost Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees, 6-5, after allowing Alex Verdugo’s go-ahead single in the seventh inning. The Royals ultimately lost the series in four games.
Lorenzen lost Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees, 6-5, after allowing Alex Verdugo’s go-ahead single in the seventh inning. The Royals ultimately lost the series in four games.
“I’ve always heard good things about Kansas City,” Lorenzen said Wednesday from his home in Southern California, just south of the flames that have devastated the area. “The people in the clubhouse were great. To be able to throw to Salvy (Perez) and Freddy (Fermin) again is a significant deal for me, especially given my pitching lineup and having high-IQ people like that call a game.”
Lorenzen will earn $5.5 million this year, with the Royals holding a $12 million option for 2026 with a $1.5 million buyout. He can earn $1.5 million in innings per season, with $250,000 for 100 and 125 innings and $500,000 for 150 and 175.
He can also earn $1 million for pitching appearances: $100,000 for ten, $150,000 for twenty, and $250,000 for twenty-five, thirty, and forty. There are also incentives for achievement. He would receive $100,000 for being an All-Star, $50,000 for a Gold Glove, $100,000 for winning the Cy Young, $50,000 for finishing second to fifth in the voting, and $25,000 for finishing sixth to tenth.
J.J. Picollo, the Royals’ general manager, stated that bringing Lorenzen back was one of his top goals, especially after creating a hole in the rotation by trading starter Brady Singer to the Reds for second baseman Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer.
“I think a big part of our team success last year was the innings that our starters gave us,” Picollo said. “I don’t want to speak for Michael, but if he’s given a given a chance to throw 180 innings he is going to want that opportunity.” He’d also welcome the opportunity to hit.
There was speculation that Lorenzen would sign somewhere that would allow him to get some at-bats. While this is unlikely to happen with the Royals
Leave a Reply