The Kansas City Royals have added a second starting pitcher over the past 24 hours to perhaps foster competition in the rotation. Meanwhile, in court, Anthony Bosch's drug supplier pleaded guilty on Thursday and will face a reduced sentence.
Kansas City signed starter Kris Medlen to a two-year, $8.5 million contract this afternoon, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The right-hander will make $2 million in 2015, $5.5 million in 2016 and has the opportunity to earn another $10 million in 2017 with a mutual option that carries a $1 million buyout. The deal also includes $4 million in incentives for 2015 and $6 million for 2016. Medlen joins Edinson Volquez as the latest additions to the Royals' starting rotation.
The 29-year-old was non-tendered by the Braves earlier this month and became a free agent. He's coming of his second Tommy John surgery, which forced him to miss the entire 2014 season after his first procedure sidelined him for all of 2011. At this point it's unknown how the Royals will utilize Medlen, but since he had much success in his first full season as a starter in 2013 (15-12 with a 3.11 ERA in 31 starts), it's likely he'll compete for a spot in the rotation.
He owns a career record of 34-20 with a 2.95 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 152 games (61 starts) in five seasons with the Atlanta Braves.
As free agency continues, the aftermath of the Biogenesis Scandal is still being dealt with. The largest steroid scandal to hit the MLB resulted in 14 simultaneous suspensions in 2013, including those of Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun. The Drug Enforcement Administration tracked down nearly everyone that was involved in the operation, including Anthony Bosch (the owner of the clinic) and most recently Paulo Berejuk (Bosch's drug supplier).
Berejuk pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to distribute testosterone and human growth hormone on Thursday, according to The Associated Press, and will now face a reduced prison sentence (2-3 years) for cooperating. The 51-year-old is a Brazilian citizen with permanent U.S. residency, but could be deported back to Brazil once his sentence is served.
Berejuk was arrested and charged back in October, but pleaded not guilty. The black-market chemist was said to have been concocting the performance-enhancing substances in his garage laboratory and supplying Bosch, who, in turn, was supplying baseball players ranging from high school to professional levels.
Bosch's sentencing was supposed to take place today, but his lawyer asked the judge to postpone it until February. Bosch remains in a rehab facility for drug abuse.
