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The Royals have signed reliever Wade Davis to a minor league deal, according to MLB.com reporter Anne Rogers. The 35-year old right-hander previously pitched for the Royals from 2013 to 2016 and was considered one of the best relievers in baseball during that time. Last year with the Rockies, he battled a right shoulder strain and gave up ten runs in just 4 1⁄3 innings before being released in September.
Wade Davis will earn $1.25 million if he makes the Royals. There are also about $1 million in incentives. It's similar to the deal KC signed Greg Holland to a year ago - and that worked out pretty darn well for both sides.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 20, 2021
Davis had a tough time the last three seasons in Colorado, posting a 6.49 ERA in 112 1⁄3 innings for them, although he did lead the National League in saves with them in 2018 with 43. Davis is a three-time All-Star, and from 2014-2016, he posted a ridiculously low ERA of 1.18 ERA in 182 2⁄3 innings with 234 strikeouts. His fastball velocity has declined, going from 95 mph during his peak with the Royals to just 92 mph last year. The Royals traded him to the Chicago Cubs after the 2016 season for outfielder Jorge Soler.
Davis joins Greg Holland, who re-signed with the Royals after enjoying a bounceback season with them last year. Kelvin Herrera, who was part of the vaunted “HDH” trifecta in the Royals’ bullpen in 2014-2015, is currently a free agent after pitching just 2 1⁄3 innings with a 15.43 ERA for the White Sox last year.