Kansas City Royals: Reflecting on Loss of Yordano Ventura

What Happens Now?

Below you see the total money we owe to players that we may have acquired as a result of having to compensate for Yordano’s unfortunate passing:

• 2018 Committed Money (Hammel’s $9M + Wood’s $6.5M + Maurer’s $3M) = $18.5 million
• 2019 Committed Money (Hammel’s buyout $2M + Maurer’s $3M) = $5 million
• 2020 Committed Money = $0

Therefore, after the 2019 season, all possible financial implications of Ventura’s passing will be no more. In addition, the repercussions over the next two seasons are minimal. Thank goodness that this is the case. Yordano deserves to be remembered for his laugh, fire and unbelievable talent. I wouldn’t want anyone to see his passing as a financial burden on the organization.

Outside of Ventura, the Royals will also be free of Gordon’s awful contract, be rid of their horrid television contract and be one year away from letting go of Ian Kennedy’s embarrassing contract by the end of 2019. This means that after the next three seasons, the Kansas City Royals have few money obligations to anyone other than organizational staples Perez and Duffy. When this rebuild is finished, they should have a lot of financial options.

Next: Reasons 2017 Became a Down Year

We love you, Yordano.