Kansas City Royals pick up options on Wade Davis and Alcides Escobar

Over at MLB.com, Quinn Roberts reports that the Kansas City Royals have exercised options on both Wade Davis and Alcides Escobar. Davis will be paid $8-million next season while Escobar will earn $5.25-million. Both players have one final club option remaining on their deals for 2017.

After Greg Holland was shut down this season with a UCL injury, Davis became the Royals’ closer. Over the past two years he’s been one of the best relief pitchers in baseball. This season he had the lowest ERA of any reliever (0.94), and his LOB% of 92.3 was second best. Only Josh Collmenter stranded a higher percentage of runners.

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Escobar played 148 games at shortstop for the Royals this season. This was one of Escobar’s worst offensives seasons, but he really turned things around in the playoffs. During the Royals’ post-season run he hit .329/.347/.514. This run of production included a postseason record 15-game hitting streak. However, Escobar’s defense is part of what makes him a desirable player. A 6.1 UZR rating was good enough for sixth among everyday shortstops.

While there are a number of questions still to be answered about the Royals’ roster next season, it appears that they’re set at closer and shortstop.