{"id":2197868,"date":"2025-12-13T18:01:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T18:01:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2197868"},"modified":"2025-12-13T18:01:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T18:01:08","slug":"kc-signs-a-pair-of-intriguing-veteran-free-agents-to-minor-league-deals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/kc-signs-a-pair-of-intriguing-veteran-free-agents-to-minor-league-deals\/","title":{"rendered":"KC signs a pair of intriguing veteran free agents to minor league deals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div q:key=\"QW_4\"><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=5r q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The Kansas City Royals have been making some serious moves over the past few days after a quiet spell at the Winter Meetings. They signed <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/kingsofkauffman.com\/royals-just-signed-intriguing-outfielder-that-could-be-a-secret-weapon-01kc7wsa8fde\">some much needed outfield help in Lane Thomas<\/a> on Thursday and followed that up with shoring up their future by <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/kingsofkauffman.com\/royals-extend-electrifying-all-star-as-future-comes-into-focus-01kc9tytxb3k\">handing out a five-year extension to Maikel Garcia<\/a> on Friday.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=5s q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5t\">The Kansas City Royals have been making some serious moves over the past few days after a quiet spell at the Winter Meetings. They signed <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/kingsofkauffman.com\/royals-just-signed-intriguing-outfielder-that-could-be-a-secret-weapon-01kc7wsa8fde\">some much needed outfield help in Lane Thomas<\/a> on Thursday and followed that up with shoring up their future by <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/kingsofkauffman.com\/royals-extend-electrifying-all-star-as-future-comes-into-focus-01kc9tytxb3k\">handing out a five-year extension to Maikel Garcia<\/a> on Friday.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=5u q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>But amid these major acquisitions, the front office has also been active in their search for filling out their organizational depth, bringing in a pair of former major league veterans on minor league contracts; utility infielder Kevin Newman and right-handed pitcher Jos&eacute; Cuas.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=5v q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5w\">But amid these major acquisitions, the front office has also been active in their search for filling out their organizational depth, bringing in a pair of former major league veterans on minor league contracts; utility infielder Kevin Newman and right-handed pitcher Jos\u00e9 Cuas.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=5x q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Royals News: KC signs eight-year MLB veteran Kevin Newman to minor league contract<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=5y q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5z\">Royals News: KC signs eight-year MLB veteran Kevin Newman to minor league contract<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=60 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KCRoyalsPD\/status\/1999511432765805041?s=20\" target=\"_blank\">The Royals announced Thursday morning<\/a> that Newman would not only be joining them on a minor league deal, but would also be a part of their infield group heading to Surprise for spring training<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=61 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"62\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KCRoyalsPD\/status\/1999511432765805041?s=20\" target=\"_blank\">The Royals announced Thursday morning<\/a> that Newman would not only be joining them on a minor league deal, but would also be a part of their infield group heading to Surprise for spring training<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=63 q:key=vcaa:https:\/\/twitter.com\/KCRoyalsPD\/status\/1999511432765805041--><!--qv q:id=64 q:key=YFn6:mL_1--><\/p>\n<figure on:qvisible=\"q-eMIBmSKW.js#_hW[0]\" q:key=\"HU_0\" q:id=\"65\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">We have signed infielder Kevin Newman to a minor league contract for 2026 which includes an invitation to Major League spring training.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Raising Royals (@KCRoyalsPD) <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KCRoyalsPD\/status\/1999511432765805041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=66 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Pre-COVID, Newman would&#39;ve been a notable get after his 2019 career year with the Pirates where he  hit .308 with an .800 OPS, 109 wRC+ and a 2.2 fWAR.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=67 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"68\">Pre-COVID, Newman would&#8217;ve been a notable get after his 2019 career year with the Pirates where he  hit .308 with an .800 OPS, 109 wRC+ and a 2.2 fWAR.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=69 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Since then though, he&#39;s bounced around the league as a utility infielder and hasn&#39;t been able to craft an above average season in eyes of wRC+. And from a major league standpoint, last season might have been his worst one yet, hitting .202 with a .481 OPS and 27 wRC+ in 57 games with the Angels.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6a q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6b\">Since then though, he&#8217;s bounced around the league as a utility infielder and hasn&#8217;t been able to craft an above average season in eyes of wRC+. And from a major league standpoint, last season might have been his worst one yet, hitting .202 with a .481 OPS and 27 wRC+ in 57 games with the Angels.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6c q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>However, he showed promise in his short stint in Detroit&#39;s Triple-A ranks in 2025 with a 112 wRC+ and for a guy that can play all four infield positions, his consistently sub-15.0% K-rates and three year stretch prior to 2025 of wRC+ ranging from 79 to 92 aren&#39;t a terrible option to have off the bench.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6d q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6e\">However, he showed promise in his short stint in Detroit&#8217;s Triple-A ranks in 2025 with a 112 wRC+ and for a guy that can play all four infield positions, his consistently sub-15.0% K-rates and three year stretch prior to 2025 of wRC+ ranging from 79 to 92 aren&#8217;t a terrible option to have off the bench.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6f q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>At the very least, he&#39;s worth a look in spring training given some of Kansas City&#39;s infield and depth question marks.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6g q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6h\">At the very least, he&#8217;s worth a look in spring training given some of Kansas City&#8217;s infield and depth question marks.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6i q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Royals News: KC reunites with reliver Jos&eacute; Cuas on a minor league deal<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6j q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6k\">Royals News: KC reunites with reliver Jos\u00e9 Cuas on a minor league deal<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6l q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Moving to the mound and the Royals have brought back a familair face in Cuas on minors deal with an invite to spring training.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6m q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6n\">Moving to the mound and the Royals have brought back a familair face in Cuas on minors deal with an invite to spring training.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6o q:key=vcaa:https:\/\/twitter.com\/Royals\/status\/1999581733566488772--><!--qv q:id=6p q:key=YFn6:mL_1--><\/p>\n<figure on:qvisible=\"q-eMIBmSKW.js#_hW[0]\" q:key=\"HU_0\" q:id=\"6q\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">We have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with RHP Jose Cuas.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Royals\/status\/1999581733566488772?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6r q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Cuas spent the entirety of last season in the minor leagues with both Atlanta and Philadelphia. While his brief stint with the Phillies Triple-A squad wasn&#39;t all too fruitful, he did sport a 3.22 ERA with a respectable 9.27 K\/9 across 22.1 innings of works in the Braves&#39; Double-A ranks.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6s q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6t\">Cuas spent the entirety of last season in the minor leagues with both Atlanta and Philadelphia. While his brief stint with the Phillies Triple-A squad wasn&#8217;t all too fruitful, he did sport a 3.22 ERA with a respectable 9.27 K\/9 across 22.1 innings of works in the Braves&#8217; Double-A ranks.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6u q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>While his last stint in the majors in 2024 was certainly nothing get remotely jazzed about - he threw to a combined 7.71 ERA in 16.1 innings between the Blue Jays and the Cubs - Cuas isn&#39;t without his major league success.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6v q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6w\">While his last stint in the majors in 2024 was certainly nothing get remotely jazzed about &#8211; he threw to a combined 7.71 ERA in 16.1 innings between the Blue Jays and the Cubs &#8211; Cuas isn&#8217;t without his major league success.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6x q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>In his year-and-a-half stretch in Kansas City in 2022 and 2023, the now 31-year-old threw to a serviceable 4.08 ERA with 9.80 K\/9. This included a respectable 3.58 ERA in his rookie campaign back in 2022. He also threw to a 3.04 ERA after heading to the Cubs midseason in &#39;23.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6y q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6z\">In his year-and-a-half stretch in Kansas City in 2022 and 2023, the now 31-year-old threw to a serviceable 4.08 ERA with 9.80 K\/9. This included a respectable 3.58 ERA in his rookie campaign back in 2022. He also threw to a 3.04 ERA after heading to the Cubs midseason in &#8217;23.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=70 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Cuas has never been the most controlled arm with a career 5.20 BB\/9 and 1.59 WHIP, however on a minor league deal, it&#39;s hard to go wrong with having another look at a familiar face who&#39;s not been without some degree of success at the big league level.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=71 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"72\">Cuas has never been the most controlled arm with a career 5.20 BB\/9 and 1.59 WHIP, however on a minor league deal, it&#8217;s hard to go wrong with having another look at a familiar face who&#8217;s not been without some degree of success at the big league level.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source kingsofkauffman.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Kansas City Royals have been making some serious moves over the past few days after a quiet spell at the Winter Meetings. They signed some much needed outfield help in Lane Thomas on Thursday and followed that up with shoring up their future by handing out a five-year extension to Maikel Garcia on Friday. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2197869,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2197868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-royalty"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/KC-signs-a-pair-of-intriguing-veteran-free-agents-to.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2197868","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2197868"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2197868\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2197870,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2197868\/revisions\/2197870"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2197869"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2197868"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2197868"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2197868"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}