TEXAS RANGERS SIGN QB PLAYER, WHO IS BETTER THAN Ivan Rodriguez.

Missouri’s Kansas City After agreeing to a one-year, $5 million deal, the Kansas City Royals are hoping that Will Smith, a left-hander, can close out games in a way that their bullpen was unable to do last season.

The 34-year-old, who has won World Series rings with three different teams in the previous three seasons, is also eligible to receive $1 million in performance bonuses for games pitched, with $125,000 going to games pitched in positions 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60.

J.J. Picollo, general manager of the Royals, stated, “Will was attractive to us because he finishes games.” “Throughout the season, it will be difficult, but he has experience and will have every chance to complete games.”

Smith is going back to the team that gave him his big league debut, helped him make the move to the bullpen, and helped him launch a lucrative career that spanned multiple clubs. Throughout his career, he has made five appearances in the All-Star Game: in 2019 with the San Francisco Giants, in the World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 2021, in the following year with the Houston Astros, and this past season with the Texas Rangers.

This past postseason, Smith made five appearances for Texas and gave up four runs, two of which came against Arizona in the World Series.

Throughout his career, he has completed games, and in the last three complete big league seasons, he has completed at least 40. However, he hasn’t consistently received the ball in save situations until the last few years. In 2021, he recorded 37 saves for Atlanta, 22 for Texas, and 34 for San Francisco during his All-Star season.

Their offer was alluring, not the least because it gave them the opportunity to finish games for the Royals.

Smith said, “I don’t know how to describe it, the feeling of the ninth inning when you leave the bullpen with a one-run lead, a two-run lead, or a three-run lead. It could be the pressure or whatever.” It’s very clear-cut: I

The Royals had pitching issues all season long, but their bullpen stood out as one of the team’s strongest points, with an ERA of 5.23. They started strengthening their relief corps last month and then paid cash to Atlanta for Nick Anderson, who pitched 35 1/3 innings with a 3.06 ERA before suffering a shoulder strain that ended his season.

The Royals, according to Picollo, will keep searching for bullpen support in addition to focusing on starters, as they currently lack a proven starter behind Cole Ragans, Brady Singer, and Jordan Lyles. Two of the best remaining arms in free agency, Marcus Stroman and Lucas Giolito, have been linked to them.

Now that Shohei Ohtani has committed to a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, the market for them is anticipated to heat up.

“As far as we know, there are only a few teams involved in the Ohtani situation,” Picollo stated. “But, now that the first domino has fallen, I do believe it will pick up speed, and this week and next week will be jam-packed with action.” Furthermore, I believe that many issues will be resolved before Christmas. That’s what we hope to happen.