The Kansas City Royals made their first big offseason move on Thursday by cutting ties with closer Carlos Estévez. The team declined his $13 million club option, which means he hits the open market. Instead of paying that high price, Kansas City will hand him a $2 million buyout. This decision clears the books but leaves a huge hole in the bullpen after he led the league with 42 saves in 2025.
At the same time, the club exercised a $2.5 million option on right-hander Tony Gonsolin. Per MLB.com Royals, this move keeps a former All-Star under contract for 2027 despite his recent injury struggles. It is a low-cost gamble for a pitcher who once went 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA in 2022. After ending last season with a 5.07 bullpen ERA that ranked 29th in the majors, the Royals must acquire all available pitching help.
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Letting Estévez walk feels risky, but the math makes sense for a small-market team. He signed a two-year, $22.2 million deal before 2025 and delivered a 2.45 ERA that year. However, his 2026 season was a disaster filled with injuries and blown saves. He was limited to just one appearance before a comebacker hit his foot and a rotator cuff strain ended his year. According to Yardbarker, his strikeout rate dropped while his walk rate climbed in 2025, showing he was already losing a step.
Paying $13 million for a pitcher who might not even throw a pitch in 2027 is hard to justify. The Royals are better off taking the $2 million buyout and trying to find a cheaper replacement. They need to fix a relief corps that allowed too many runs and lost too many games. The 69-93 record from last year proves the bullpen was a major problem that this move attempts to address.
Bringing back Gonsolin is a different kind of bet, one based on potential rather than recent results. He joined the team on August 13 while recovering from elbow surgery he had in August 2025. In just one major league outing this year against the White Sox, the 32-year-old surrendered five runs across 2 2/3 innings. Per Royals Keep, the $2.5 million price tag is very affordable for a starter with his career stats of 37 wins and 13 losses.
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The rotation needs help because several young pitchers like Cole Ragans and Stephen Kolek are recovering from surgery themselves. Gonsolin could provide depth in the rotation or the bullpen if he stays healthy. His velocity sat in the low 90s during his brief time with the team, which is a few ticks below his peak years. If he can get back on track, he offers another option for a staff that has few reliable choices.
This decision sets the tone for a busy offseason where money and health will drive every choice. The Royals must find a new closer to replace Estévez while hoping Gonsolin can return to form. They cannot afford to wait for injuries to fix themselves again after a 29th place finish in bullpen ERA.
