Joakim Soria

Royals finalize three-year deal with Joakim Soria

Free agent pitcher Joakim Soria signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Kansas City Royals.

What It Means:

Soria returns to the club he called home for the first five years of his major league career. The new deal includes a $10 million mutual option for 2019, with a $1 million buyout. We project him to serve as a set-up man for Wade Davis.

Soria posted a 2.53 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 67 2/3 innings pitched last season with the Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates, although his xFIP was more than a run higher at 3.57. Also concerning is that his strikeouts per nine innings of 8.51 was a career low, and significantly lower than his career average of 9.60. He also posted a career high in home runs allowed per nine innings at 1.06. Soria finished last year with 0.4 Wins Above Replacement.