The club exercised its 2027 option on right‑hander Tony Gonsolin, guaranteeing him $2.5 million next season. Meanwhile, Carlos Estévez saw his $13 million option rejected and will enter free agency with a $2 million buyout.
Gonsolin arrives as a cheap swing‑man. From 2019‑2023 he logged 375.2 innings for the Dodgers, posting a 3.19 ERA, striking out 23.1% of batters while walking just 8.7% and inducing ground balls at a 38.8% clip.
He’s missed the bulk of that time with injuries. Tommy John surgery ended his 2023 season and sidelined him in 2024. A back strain in 2025 kept him on the injured list, and after a brief April comeback his elbow gave out, leading to internal‑brace surgery in August.
After the Dodgers cut him, the Royals signed him in August 2026, paying a prorated $1 million plus a $2.5 million club option for 2027. He logged four rehab outings in the minors, then appeared once in the majors, surrendering five runs in 2 2/3 innings before an allergic reaction sent him back to the IL.
Gonsolin’s 2026 showing was underwhelming; his fastball lingered in the low‑90s, a shade slower than his Dodgers days. For my money, he could be a bargain if he stays healthy, and the Royals hope he rebounds next year.
The rotation needs depth. Cole Ragans, Stephen Kolek, Ryan Bergert, Luinder Avila and Ben Kudrna will still be recovering from surgery in 2027, leaving Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo and Noah Cameron to start. Randy Dobnak and Daniel Lynch IV sit on the back end, and Gonsolin may provide a needed swing‑man or even shift to the bullpen if limits arise.
Estévez’s option decline wasn’t shocking. Signed to a two‑year deal for 2025, he was among the league’s top closers then. In 2025 he posted a 2.45 ERA, but his strikeout rate fell to 20.1% and walks rose to 8.2%, while his BABIP of .234 and strand rate of 77.6% helped mask underlying issues.
His 2026 campaign unraveled quickly. After a single outing that yielded six runs in a third of an inning, a comebacker bruised his left foot, landing him on the IL. A rehab stint produced a rotator‑cuff strain, and September surgery left his timeline uncertain.
Given the health concerns and recent performance, the Royals won’t hand him $13 million next year. Recovery will dictate his next deal, and at 34 he’ll be navigating a potential lockout. Can he rebound and earn a new contract before the lockout?