Former D-backs closer Boxberger reportedly agrees to deal with Royals
Feb 6, 2019, 12:57 PM
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Former Arizona Diamondbacks closer Brad Boxberger has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the Kansas City Royals, according to MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan.
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweeted that the deal is pending a physical and is worth $2.2 million plus $1 million in incentives.
The D-backs acquired Boxberger from the Tampa Bay Rays in November 2017 in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Curtis Taylor.
The 30-year-old relief pitcher appeared in 60 games last year with the D-backs and pitched to a record of 3-7 while recording 32 saves.
Boxberger’s 2018 was a bit of a struggle as he tied his career high in walks allowed (32) and recorded the second highest earned-run average of his career (4.39).
The D-backs originally had Boxberger under team control through the end of the 2019 season, however they decided to non-tender the righty in November, making him a free agent.
Before joining the D-backs, Boxberger was orginally a 20th-round pick by the Royals in 2006, but decided not to sign and attend USC instead.
In 2015, Boxberger was an All-Star with Tampa when he led the American League in saves with 41.