Kansas City Royals Make Decisions On Team's Club Options

One day after the World Series came to a close on Wednesday, the Kansas City Royals made a decision on two players’ club options as they head into the offseason. 

On Thursday afternoon, the Royals announced they have exercised their 2027 club option for Tony Gonsolin. They also declined the 2027 club option for reliever Carlos Estévez, making him a free agent.

Gonsolin is now set to make $2.5 million in 2027. Estévez’s club option that was declined was for a total of $13 million, and he collects a $2 million buyout.

The decision to retain Gonsolin is likely due to his low cost, but also because he presents himself as a low-risk, high-reward option for the Kansas City pitching staff. He brings a veteran presence to a younger staff, and has established himself in the past as a consistently productive pitcher.

Gonsolin was once a consistent starter in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ rotation, spending the entirety of his career there until he joined Kansas City in 2026. He was effective each year, as he combined to post an ERA just over 3 from 2019-2023. He was named an All-Star in 2022 and helped the Dodgers win a World Series in 2020.

However, things have looked different for Gonsolin after the 2023 season. His year was cut short when he got Tommy John surgery in September, and he missed the entirety of the 2024 season. He dealt with more injuries in 2025 and made just seven starts on the year, posting a 5.00 ERA.

In the past offseason, Gonsolin became a free agent and did not sign until August when he came to an agreement with the Royals. Gonsolin made four appearances in a minor league rehab and eventually made his Royals debut, where he allowed five earned runs in 2 ⅔ innings. It would end up being his only appearance in the major leagues this year, as he went on the injured list once again shortly after.

The Royals decided to let Estévez go after a year that was scarred by injuries. Kansas City inked the reliever to a two-year deal before the 2025 season, and at the time, Estévez had been one of the league’s most dominant relief arms. 

After a very solid season in 2025, in which he posted a 2.45 ERA in 67 outings, Estévez made just one appearance towards the beginning of the season in 2026. In that outing he allowed six earned runs and got hit by a comebacker, which landed him on the injured list with a left foot contusion. In a later rehab assignment, Estévez strained his rotator cuff, which led to surgery in September.