The Kansas City Royals have announced that they have signed right-handed pitcher Chris Young to a one-year, major-league deal. According to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com, Young will make a base salary of $675,000. Flanagan adds that Young will receive $250,000 each time he is on the big league roster for a certain amount of days starting at 1, 30, 60 and 90 days, as there are $5,325,000 in available incentive bonuses if roster days, innings pitched and starts are achieved, according to Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star.
The 35-year-old enjoyed a rather successful comeback season with the Seattle Mariners during the 2014 campaign, as he won the league’s Comeback Player of the Year award. In 165 innings pitched last season with the Mariners, Young pitched to a 12-9 record, along with a 3.65 ERA, 100 ERA+ and a 5.02 FIP, over 30 games pitched (29 starts). Despite not pitching in the major leagues during the 2013 season, he posted a 5.9 K/9 and a 3.3 BB/9.
It is still not known where Young will fit in with the Royals, whether it is in their starting rotation or their illustrious bullpen. The starting rotation is currently filled with Yordano Ventura, Jason Vargas, Jeremy Guthrie, Danny Duffy and newly-signed Edinson Volquez. He could also be used as a long relief pitcher, setting up Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland in the bullpen.
Over his ten-year major-league career, Young has pitched for the Texas Rangers (2004-05), San Diego Padres (2006-10), New York Mets (2011-12) and the Seattle Mariners (2014). In 189 career games pitched, with one being in relief this past season, he accumulated a 65-52 record, along with a 3.77 ERA, in 1055 and 2/3 innings pitched.
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