3 worst contracts currently on the KC Royals roster

Many people dream of earning a paycheck while sitting at home.  The KC Royals made it possible for one player.

To his credit, Wily Peralta is not resting on his laurels and is in camp with the Milwaukee Brewers. If it does not work though, he still has guaranteed money coming from the Royals.

The signing of Peralta was a bit of a head-scratcher going into the 2018 season.  His best season had been two years earlier when he started 32 games for the Milwaukee Brewers and went 17-11.  It was the only time in a four-year span he had an ERA+ above 100.

In 2017 Peralta had an extremely tough season putting up a 7.85 ERA in 19 totals games, including eight starts.  The Royals signed him for 2018 and converted him into a full-time relief role. It did return some positive results.  He saved 14 games, struck out a batter per inning, and had his best WHIP since 2014.

There were some warning signs with a WHIP of 1.485 and a WAR, while positive, was only 0.4.  He had trouble with control was present with 23 walks recorded in only 34 1/3 innings pitched.

In 2019, the wheels came completely off as Peralta’s ERA climbed over 2.00 points and he only struck out five more batters than he issued bases on balls to.  He yielded a home run roughly every five innings pitched and that tied the worst HR/9 ration in his career.  Ultimately, Kansas City parted ways with Peralta in July.

The result is that the team will be paying Peralta one million dollars to not be with the Royals this year.  It is not an absurd number, less than double minimum wage in baseball.  It is an example of taking the chance on a player who hurt more than helped though.