Former SF Giants closer agrees to one-year, $5 million deal with Royals

The Kansas City Royals have agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with former SF Giants and Texas Rangers closer Will Smith.

Marc Delucchi | Dec 10, 2023

Former SF Giants closer agrees to one-year, $5 million deal with Royals /

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The Kansas City Royals have agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with former SF Giants closer Will Smith, according to a report by ESPN's Jeff Passan. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic later reported that Smith's deal includes up to $1 million in potential incentives as well. Smith, who spent the 2023 season with the Texas Rangers, is coming off winning the World Series for the third consecutive season.

SF Giants relief pitcher Will Smith works against a San Diego Padres batter during the tenth inning at Petco Park. (2018) — SF Giants reliever Will Smith pitches against a Padres batter at Petco Park. (2018) / Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Smith, an 11-year MLB veteran, has spent more time in the majors with the Giants than any other organization over his career. After emerging as a top left-handed setup arm with the Brewers, Smith was traded to the Giants at the 2016 MLB trade deadline for prospects Phil Bickford and Andrew Susac. Smith was a solid setup option to finish the 2016 but missed all of 2017 after tearing his UCL and undergoing surgery.

Upon his return, Smith returned to peak form. While the Giants struggled to win games from 2018-2019, Smith anchored a surprisingly strong bullpen. He posted a 2.66 ERA (2.71 FIP) with 48 saves, 167 strikeouts, and 36 walks in 118.1 innings pitched over those two seasons. Following that stint, Smith became a free agent, declined a qualifying offer from the Giants, and inked a three-year, $40 million contract with Atlanta.

Smith has been unable to match his production with the Giants since departing. He recorded a 3.87 ERA over his tenure with Atlanta, although he was the team's primary closer during their 2021 run to the World Series title. That would spark an impressive three-year run. The following season, Smith was traded to the Astros at the deadline before they went on to win the World Series. Then, last offseason, he inked a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Rangers. While Smith was eventually displaced from the closer role, he finished the season with 22 saves and a 4.40 ERA (3.36 FIP) in 60 appearances (57.1 innings pitched) alongside another World Series ring.

On the surface, it seems like Will Smith's World Series streak will come to the end with the Royals. However, with Kansas City expected to be one of the worst teams in the league in 2024, they will likely be sellers at the deadline. So, it's not out of the question that Smith will still be able to find his way to another title.

Published Dec 10, 2023

MARC DELUCCHI

Marc Delucchi (he/they/she) serves as the Managing Editor at Giants Baseball Insider, leading their SF Giants coverage. As a freelance journalist, he has previously covered the San Francisco Giants at Around the Foghorn and McCovey Chronicles. He also currently contributes to Niners Nation, Golden State of Mind, and Baseball Prospectus. He has previously been featured in several other publications, including SFGate, ProFootballRumors, Niners Wire, GrandStand Central, Call to the Pen, and Just Baseball. Over his journalistic career, Marc has conducted investigations into how one prep baseball player lost a college opportunity during the pandemic (Baseball Prospectus) and the rampant mistreatment of players at the University of Hawaii football program under former head coach Todd Graham (SFGate). He has also broken dozens of news stories around professional baseball, primarily around the SF Giants organization, including the draft signing of Kyle Harrison, injuries and promotions to top prospects like Heliot Ramos, and trade details in the Kris Bryant deal. Marc received a Bachelor's degree from Kenyon College with a major in economics and a minor in Spanish. During his time in college, he conducted a summer research project attempting to predict the future minor-league performance of NCAA hitters, worked as a data analyst for the school's Women's basketball team, and worked as a play-by-play announcer/color commentator for the basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. He also worked as an amateur baseball scout with the Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network (later renamed Evolution Metrix), scouting high school and college players for three draft cycles. For tips and inquiries, feel free to reach out to Marc directly on Twitter or via email (delucchimarc@gmail.com).