The Braves let pitcher Kris Medlen go this offseason to avoid paying him nearly $6 million in salary arbitration. There was some talk of the Braves re-signing him but that all officially ended on Thursday when the 29-year-old signed with the Royals.
Medlen will earn $8.5 million on his two year deal with the Royals.
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The Royals will allow Medlen to recover from Tommy John surgery and eye him as a addition to the rotation for the second half.
Medlen has a career 2.95 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 512 2/3 career major league innings. There is some risk here for the Royals but given the upside it’s a worthwhile gamble.
