clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Royals sign Alex Rios for one year, $11 million

Rios will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2014 season in right field for the Royals next year.

Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

The Royals have signed outfielder Alex Rios to a one-year deal worth $11 million, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman. He'll presumably slide into a regular spot in the lineup as the right fielder.

Last season, Rios hit .280/.311/.398 over 521 plate appearances with the Rangers, posting a 0.2 fWAR and a 0.6 rWAR. He hit just four home runs and stole 17 bases, but like the Royals other major free agent addition Kendrys Morales, Rios' past success helped him secure a seemingly over-market contract.

Over his last two seasons with White Sox, Rios hit .291/.329/.473 and averaged 22 homers and 32 stolen bases a year.

The Royals were reportedly interested in Colby Rasmus and Mike Morse on the free agent market and were said to be considering a number of outfielders through trades -- namely, Justin Upton. With Morales and Rios in the fold, the lineup appears to be set.

The move will likely result in Jarrod Dyson returning to the fourth outfielder role he served in 2014, although he could occasionally spell Rios based on platoon splits. Over his career, Rios has managed a 109 wRC+ against left-handed pitching. Against same-siders he's put up a 97 wRC+.

Defensively, the 33-year-old began his career as a plus defender with an above-average arm in right field, but as he has gotten older, his abilities have naturally declined. He shouldn't be noticeably worse than Norichika Aoki was in the field last year, but Rios' range shriveled to a career-worst showing for the Rangers in 2014.

The two-time All-Star and former first-round pick will look to steer his numbers back to respectability next season, but Steamer projects him to be worth just 0.7 fWAR with a  .260/.298/.394 batting line, 12 home runs, and 19 stolen bases.