The Royals have signed pitcher Jeff Francis to a one-year deal worth a guaranteed 2 million dollars, with the opportunity to earn an additional 2 million dollars.
Francis, 30, has a 55-50 record with a 4.77 ERA in six seasons with the Colorado Rockies. He went 4-6 with a 5.00 ERA last season in his comeback from shoulder surgery that he had in February 2009.
Francis was drawing interest from all across the league because he has the ability to be an ace, and that must be exactly what the Royals offered to him. Francis' best year came in 2007 when he went 17-9 in 34 games with the Rockies.
If Francis can be kept long-term, the Royals pitching future looks very bright with top pitching prospects waiting in the wings.