Kansas City Royals, Jason Frasor sign one-year deal

Jason Frasor and the Kansas City Royals have agreed to a one-year, $1.8 million contract. The team also revealed that the contract includes a mutual option for 2016 at $2 million, with a $550,000 buyout.

For a pitcher who posted a 2.66 ERA in 2014, Frasor’s signing could end up being quite a bargain for the Royals. As Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland proved to be late-inning beasts for the Royals’ bullpen, Frasor acted as an underrated weapon. He only allowed one earned run during Kansas City’s surprising playoff showing.

Over 11 big league seasons, Frasor has posted a 3.59 ERA in 647 appearances. He’s primarily been used in middle relief, but has seen some time in a setup role. At 37 years of age, perhaps a short contract with a World Series contender was all Frasor wanted.

The move also raises speculation about the other Royals’ relievers. Both Davis and Holland are becoming extremely expensive, while Herrera is arbitration eligible for the first time. It’s fair to assume that the small market Royals can’t afford to keep its three monsters together for much longer. If nothing else, Frasor may be a cheap and affordable insurance policy.

Even with the increased cost, there appear to be no indications that the Royals want to break up that trio anytime soon. If an enticing deal is presented to them, however, it should help to know that Frasor could step in and fill a seventh or eighth inning role.