By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
A former Royal that has won World Series in each of the last three years is making his return to Kansas City to help stabilize a bullpen that struggled mightily in 2023.
Left hander Will Smith has signed a one year deal with the Kansas City Royals. Though the club has not confirmed financials, a source says the contract is worth $5 million, along with some performance bonuses.
Now 34 years old, Smith made his major league debut with the Royals in 2012, starting 16 games, before being moved to the bullpen in 2013. The following offseason Smith was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, the move bringing Nori Aoki to Kansas City.
Over the next 11 years of his career, Smith went on to play for five other teams, the last three seasons however were historic for Smith. The lefty won World Series titles with the Atlanta Braves in 2021, Houston Astros in 2022, and most recently the Texas Rangers last season.
Smith became the first player in MLB history to be on the World Series roster with three different teams in three consecutive years.
The Royals hope that experience will help the back end of their bullpen and rubs off on some of their young relievers, Kansas City coming off having the second worst bullpen ERA last season at 5.23.
Smith is viewed by the Royals as one option at the back end of the bullpen, along with Nick Anderson who was acquired earlier this offseason from the Braves. They could also look younger right handers James McArthur and Carlos Hernandez to close out games.
In a corresponding move, the Royals designated right-handed pitcher Collin Snider for assignment.