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The Royals have re-worked the contract for reliever Wily Peralta and will pay him $2.25 million in 2019 with a $7 million mutual option in 2020 with a $1 million buyout. Peralta originally had a $3 million club option for 2019 with a $25,000 buyout, so this would give the a bit of a raise, but defer more money to 2020. Peralta also has $1 million in performance bonuses.
Can confirm that Wily Peralta's deal is for $3.25 million -- $2.25M base in 2019 plus $1M buyout on $7M mutual option for 2020. Also, per source, Peralta could earn an extra $1M in performance bonuses if he finishes 55 games in 2019.
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) October 31, 2018
There is also the possibility the Royals could retain Peralta past next year if he has a solid season and his mutual option is picked up in 2020. However if he breaks out, it seems more likely he would want to test the free agent market.
Peralta was signed to a one-year, $1.25 million deal last year with a club option. He failed to make the Opening Day roster, but worked his way back to the big leagues and posted a 3.67 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 34 1⁄3 innings and was 14-for-14 in save opportunities. However he also walked 23 batters and had a FIP of 4.73.
The Royals also declined the mutual option on pitcher Jason Hammel, giving him a $2 million buyout and making him a free agent. Hammel was 12-27 with a 5.59 ERA in a Royals uniform with -0.2 WAR, according to Baseball Reference. He was demoted to the bullpen in July and has the second-highest ERA in club history for any Royals pitcher who made at least 50 starts. Hammel originally signed a two-year, $16 million deal in February of 2017, just weeks after the death of Yordano Ventura. He joins Alcides Escobar as the only Royals eligible for free agency.