FREE AGENTS

IF Alcides Escobar, RP Jason Hammel, RP Brandon Maurer, SP Nate Karns

The Royals declined Hammel’s $12 million mutual, granting him a $2 million buyout. The 36-year-old was not able to get anything going as a starter last season and, in 63 appearances as a Royal, the right-hander logged a 7.89 ERA. Karns was unable to play in 2018 as he was recovering from elbow surgery but has shown the ability to pitch at the MLB level (297 strikeouts in 2862⁄3 innings since 2015).