Royals Sign Aaron Sanchez to Minor League Deal

This article takes a look at the Kansas City Royals’ decision to sign veteran right-hander Aaron Sanchez to a minor-league contract. It’s a low-risk, high-upside move that’s clearly aimed at boosting pitching depth.

Sanchez has had a long road back from injuries. He impressed in winter ball, and the financial structure of the deal reflects the team’s cautious optimism as he tries to crack a pretty crowded Royals rotation heading into spring training.

Royals Take a Calculated Gamble on Veteran Arm

The Kansas City Royals just keep searching for ways to squeeze out a little more from their pitching staff. Their latest move? Bringing in Aaron Sanchez on a minor-league contract and hoping experience and pedigree can outweigh recent struggles.

Sanchez gets a shot as a non-roster invitee in big-league spring training. He’ll have to earn his way onto the Opening Day roster, and if he does, both sides get a fair deal without much risk for Kansas City.

Details of the Contract and Incentives

The Royals have built this deal to keep their payroll flexible. If Sanchez makes the major-league roster, he’ll earn $1.5 million, with up to $1.35 million more in performance incentives.

There are opt-out or release clauses on April 15 and May 15. If things don’t work out, Sanchez can look for another opportunity elsewhere.

A Comeback Years in the Making

Sanchez is now 33 and hasn’t pitched in a major-league game since 2022. He missed all of 2023 but didn’t just sit around—he went to the Dominican Winter League and tried to show he’s still got it.

He faced real competition there and, honestly, looked like a new version of himself.

Winter League Performance Turns Heads

In eight starts, Sanchez threw 46 1/3 innings and posted a sharp 1.55 ERA. His command really popped—he walked just 5.0% of hitters and struck out 19.1%.

He leaned into his strengths too. Always a ground-ball guy, he kept that up overseas, which gives some hope his stuff still plays when he’s healthy.

Remembering Sanchez at His Peak

It’s kind of wild to remember how good Aaron Sanchez was at his best. Back in 2016, he broke out with a 3.00 ERA across 192 innings, made the All-Star team, and finished seventh in Cy Young voting.

That year, he showed off a heavy fastball, elite ground-ball rates, and the kind of durability teams crave in a frontline starter.

Injuries Derail a Promising Career

But health problems quickly took over the story. Since 2016, he’s dealt with:

Because of all that, Sanchez has only managed 367 2/3 MLB innings since his breakout, with a 5.29 ERA. His strikeouts dropped, walks went up, and he bounced between five organizations.

Where Sanchez Fits in Kansas City

Here’s the challenge: opportunity. The Royals already have a pretty set rotation with Cole Ragans, Kris Bubic, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, and Noah Cameron.

There’s also a lot of depth on the 40-man roster, so it’s crowded even beyond the main five.

Depth Chart Reality Check

Guys like Alec Marsh, Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek, Mason Black, and swingman Bailey Falter give Kansas City plenty of options before they’d need to look at a non-roster arm.

Still, if Sanchez shows something in camp, his experience and ground-ball skills could make him a decent injury replacement or maybe even a bullpen option. Stranger things have happened, right?

Low Risk, Potential Reward

For the Royals, this signing costs very little. It could pay off with some meaningful innings, if things break right.

For Aaron Sanchez, it’s another shot at climbing back into the big leagues. Will he grab a roster spot? That’ll depend on his health, his command, and maybe a bit of luck.

The door’s cracked open for him again. Let’s see if he walks through it.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Royals, Aaron Sanchez Agree To Minor League Deal