Royals, LHP Cole Ragans agree to 3-year extension

Field Level Media|published: 02/14/2025, 9:32pm EST

Oct 7, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Cole Ragans (55) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in the first inning during game two of the ALDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Coming off his first All-Star campaign, Kansas City left-hander Cole Ragans agreed to a three-year extension with the Royals, the team announced Friday.

The Royals did not confirm financial terms, but multiple sources reported the deal is worth $13.25 million.

Ragans, 27, who will be a free agent following the 2028 season, will earn $1.25 million in 2025, $4.5 million in 2026 and $7.5 million in 2027, according to ESPN.

In his second season in Kansas City in 2024, Ragans emerged as the staff's ace and helped the club reach the postseason, posting an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA in 32 starts.

He led the American League with 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings, finishing with 223 whiffs along with 67 walks in 186 1/3 innings. In two postseason starts, he went 1-1 with a 0.90 ERA, allowing one run in 10 innings.

Ragans was a first-round pick (No. 30 overall) by the Texas Rangers in the 2016 draft, but endured two Tommy John surgeries and didn't reach the majors until 2022. After 26 appearances (nine starts) over two seasons with Texas, he was traded to the Royals in June 2023 in exchange for Aroldis Chapman and joined Kansas City's rotation.

In three seasons in the majors, Ragans is 18-17 with a 3.46 ERA in 70 games (53 starts) spanning 322 1/3 innings, with 363 strikeouts and 124 walks.

--Field Level Media