One of the biggest offseason additions to the Kansas City Royals was able to avoid arbitration with his new team today with an announced deal of $5.6 million plus incentives for Jonathan Sanchez, according to Jon Heyman. Sanchez was the primary target in the trade that sent Melky Cabrera to the San Francisco Giants for Sanchez in a move that surprised many with how early it came in the MLB offseason.
↵Sanchez went 4-7 with a 4.26 ERA last year with 102 strikeouts in 101 innings. The previous year, however, Sanchez dominated in SF with a 13-9 record and a 3.07 ERA and 205 strikeouts in 193 innings. The Royals are hoping Sanchez can return to form and provide a frontline starter since they traded a solid veteran centerfielder to get him.
↵Sanchez is only 29 so the odds are good that he still has a lot of prime years in front of him. He’s also in a contract year, so that bodes well for a solid performance all season. Then again, the Royals knew the risk behind Sanchez when they traded for him.