Former Astros World Series Champ Signs Deal With Royals

With Shohei Ohtani off the market, free agency is expected to start getting rolling this offseason.

The Houston Astros were able to address some of their needs early by signing a backup catcher and making a trade for a bullpen piece with the Kansas City Royals.

Adding relievers will likely be the most that the Astros do this offseason.

They aren't the only team who is looking to add bullpen arms either as front offices start to load up on players who could be impact players for the Major League roster ahead of Spring Training.

Will Smith, a former World Series champion with Houston in 2022, signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Royals according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

He was acquired by the Astros at the trade deadline that season and appeared in 24 games, recording an ERA of 3.27 across 22 innings pitched. The left-hander did not play a single playoff game but was still awarded a World Series ring.

Smith has now become infamous for winning three straight championships after spending the year with the Texas Rangers in 2023. He won his first with the Atlanta Braves in 2021.

The 34-year-old had a much more prominent role with the Rangers, pitching in 60 games and throwing 57 1/3 innings during the regular season. He also made five appearances in the playoffs, although he didn't have that much success.

Now, the veteran lefty will be joining Kansas City, who finished with the second-worst record in the league.

Houston seemingly was not interested in a reunion with their former reliever after they declined his club-option that allowed him to join their division rivals ahead of the 2023 season.

Now, the Royals are hoping that his magic of being a part of three straight World Series championships rubs off onto their franchise.