Will Smith Returns to Kansas City Royals on One-Year Deal
The veteran left-hander, who has won three consecutive World Series titles, is set to bolster a Royals bullpen that had the worst ERA in the American League last season.
- Veteran left-handed reliever Will Smith has agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with the Kansas City Royals.
- Smith, 34, previously played for the Royals at the start of his major league career and has since won three consecutive World Series titles with different teams.
- Smith has pitched in 557 regular-season games since 2013, more than all but a dozen relievers, and has a career ERA of 3.67 with 113 saves.
- Despite a dip in his strikeout rate this year, Smith's walks also dropped, and he allowed only 0.78 home runs per nine.
- The Royals' bullpen had the worst ERA in the American League last season, and the team is looking to strengthen its pitching staff.
Deadspin 