UPDATE: Jerry Crasnick reports that Francis will get a $2M base salary. He can make $2M more in incentives based on starts and innings pitched. Seems like a good deal. Especially considering that Brad Penny just got $3 million base, $3 million incentives.
9:40 AM: Jerry Crasnick just tweeted that the Royals have signed free agent starter Jeff Francis to a one-year deal, pending a physical.
This is a much-needed signing for the Royals, whose rotation is otherwise avert-your-eyes awful. While no ace — his overall 2010 numbers amounted to a 5.00 ERA in 19 starts — Francis looked much better in the second half, gaining some velocity and otherwise shaking off the rust after missing all of 2009 with shoulder surgery. He should be a quality mid-rotation kind of guy next year.
Which in Kansas City means that he should be a candidate for the Opening Day starter’s gig.
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- dodger88 - Jan 14, 2011 at 9:46 AM
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And if Francis rebounds they can move at the trade deadline. Good move and uncharacteristic of the Royals who would more typically have given someone like Francis a multi-year deal, thus reducing the chances of a trade.
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- BC - Jan 14, 2011 at 9:50 AM
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Agree – if he’s decent and back to where he was before injury, someone can grab him on the cheap to be a fourth or even third starter. If not, hey, the Royals are going to suck pond water anyway.
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- baseballstars - Jan 14, 2011 at 10:12 AM
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Craig, why haven’t you posted the Craig Breslow (of the Oakland A’s) parody video of Rex Ryan?
I am disappoint.
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- seanmk - Jan 14, 2011 at 10:37 AM
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really good move, might be their best starter in 2010, if he comes back to his 2007 form. he’ll at the very least get them innings
