The Royals announced that they’ve declined their half of right-hander Jason Hammel’s mutual option, thereby making him a free agent. Hammel will receive a $2MM buyout rather than a $12MM salary for the 2019 season and will hit the open market in search of a new club.
[Related: Updated Kansas City Royals depth chart and payroll outlook]
The 36-year-old Hammel’s two-year pact with Kansas City proved to be a sizable misstep for the organization, as the veteran righty limped to a 5.29 ERA in 180 1/3 innings in 2017 before turning in a 6.09 ERA in 127 frames in 2018. Hammel lost his rotation spot in Kansas City this season and finished the year in long relief for a Royals club that finished last in the American League Central.
Prior to his time in Kansas City, though, Hammel enjoyed a solid three-year run with the Athletics and Cubs. From 2014-16, he tallied 513 2/3 innings of 3.68 ERA ball, averaging 8.3 strikeouts and 2.4 walks per nine innings pitched. He saw his strikeout rate deteriorate with the Royals, though, and his ability to strand runners plummeted from roughly league-average territory to one of the worst in baseball with men on base. Those struggles seem likely to make it difficult for his camp to find a guaranteed role on a staff in 2019, but he’ll presumably still be viewed as a low-cost depth option by a number of teams.
No surprise.
They tried to salvage him as a bullpen guy the last half of the season. He stunk up the place.
I can see the White Sox taking a flyer on him.
no thanks
For what?
Definitely not a surprise move. They can certainly put the money to better use…
Has the Orioles written all over it. They need a rotation upgrade.
Been there done that already
Totally agree – Hammel is right up their alley. All other teams will pass, and BAL will sign him just before Spring Training on a 1-year deal for ~$4M.
DUH
That $2 MM KC buy-out will be close to what he gets in a deal somewhere else. Teams are desperate for pitching, but not so desperate as to throw $4 MM at a pitcher who will be 37 next season.
Man I’ve always felt bad for Hammel. He was the best pitcher available when Yordano died, and from the get go felt like he had to replace him. When he got off to a rough start with KC he never got on track. Good dude and still has good stuff, I hope he’ll go somewhere and be relatively successful again.
After watching him the last 2 seasons, sad to say but this could be the end of the road for ole’ boy! Good career though…
Hammel is the reason beane panicked and made the ill fated cespedes for lester swap. Alsio hammels gave up the walk off hit in that 2014 wildcard game