Kansas City Royals: Getting caught up on roster moves so far

With the end of the 2018 season, the roster turnover has already begun for the Kansas City Royals.

The offseason is in full swing for the Kansas City Royals. Alcides Escobar kicked off the process for the Royals by electing free agency. This is a one-stop shop for compiling all of the roster moves that have occurred so far.

Players that Elected Free Agency

As mentioned above, Alcides Escobar was the first player to elect free agency. The 31 year old shortstop is one that most Royals fans are not all too upset to see go. He notched a .231 average in the 140 games he played during the 2018 season. Of course, Adalberto Mondesi will more than likely be the full-time shortstop for the 2019 season and beyond.

On Halloween, both Nate Karns and Jason Hammel. Karns spent the 2018 season on the disabled list with an elbow injury. The 30 year old pitcher rejected his outright assignment to the Omaha Storm Chasers, therefore opting for free agency.

In Hammel’s case, the Royals declined his option for 2019 therefore sending him off as a free agent. At 36, it makes sense for the Royals to get rid of older players like Hammel and move towards the younger talent in the first official year of the rebuild.

The latest player to elect free agency was right handed pitcher Brandon Maurer. Maurer played 37 games for the Kansas City Royals during the 2018 season where he tallied an ERA of 7.76. He was outrighted off of the Royals 40-man roster, prompting the move to free agency.

Players Claimed off Waivers

Jerry Vasto spent his 2018 season first with the Colorado Rockies organization and then with the Royals in Omaha. He pitched in 37 games for the Storm Chasers and tallied an ERA of 3.16. The 26 year old reliever was claimed off of waivers by the Chicago Cubs on Halloween.

Players Sent Outright to Triple A

Both Ramon Torres and Paulo Orlando accepted being sent outright to the Omaha Storm Chasers for the 2019 season. They will both become minor league free agents.

The outfielder Orlando slashed .270/.319/.467 in Triple A during the 2018 season.

The 25 year old infielder Torres slashed .230/.279/.343 during the 2018 minor league season.

Players Re-Signed to New Contracts

Wily Peralta will be with the Kansas City Royals for at least another season after inking another deal to return as the team’s closer. There is a mutual option of $7 million for the 2020 season attached to the contract.

Players Reinstated from Disabled List

Jorge Soler, Cheslor Cuthbert, and Jesse Hahn were all reinstated from the disabled list once Brandon Maurer, Paulo Orlando, and Ramon Torres were removed from the 40-man roster.

The 40-man currently sits at 37 players, which gives the Kansas City Royals some flexibility. Hopefully this offseason moves a little quicker than last offseason did. And hopefully, there is some more excitement whether it directly affects the Royals or not.