The Royals have signed left-handed pitcher Travis Wood, according to reporter Jerry Crasnick. The deal is believed to be a two-year contract according to Jon Heyman. The 30-year old Wood posted a 2.95 ERA in 61 relief innings for the Cubs last season. He has split time between starting and relieving in his career, making 133 career starts and 126 career relief appearances. He has a 4.00 ERA in seven Major League seasons with the Cubs and Reds.
Wood was a solid starting pitcher in 2013 when he posted a 3.11 ERA in 32 starts with 2.7 WAR according to Fangraphs. He regressed in 2014 with a 5.03 ERA and was sent to the pen in 2015. He struck out 10.5 hitters-per-nine innings that year with a 3.84 ERA, but his strikeouts fell dramatically last year to 6.9. Wood has had trouble with command throughout his career, walking 3.25 per-nine-innings. Lefties hit just .128/.208/.239 in 120 plate appearances against Travis Wood last year.
Wood throws a fastball in the low 90s, mixing in a cutter, slider, curveball, and change. He had drawn interest from the Cubs, Padres, and Yankees. Reportedly multiple teams have offered him a chance to start. Wood will likely get a chance to compete for the final rotation spot with Nate Karns, Mike Minor, Chris Young, Matt Strahm, and Kyle Zimmer.
Travis Wood is the shirtless one. I think he'll fit in. pic.twitter.com/uSDVR1r8bl
— Royals Review (@royalsreview) February 13, 2017
Update: The deal is for two-years, $12 million, according to Heyman. Expect it to be backloaded and possibly with incentives for starting.