Royals Extend All-Star Ragans; Miller to D-backs

The Kansas City Royals have signed left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans to a three-year, $13.25 million extension, securing him through 2027 and covering his first two arbitration seasons. Ragans, acquired from the Texas Rangers in 2023, had a breakout 2024 season with an 11-9 record, 3.14 ERA, and 223 strikeouts, earning his first All-Star selection and finishing fourth in AL Cy Young voting. The contract offers the Royals cost certainty and demonstrates their commitment to building a competitive team by locking in key players like Ragans, who has overcome past injuries to become a top performer. Meanwhile, Shelby Miller, a veteran reliever, has signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks after the Detroit Tigers opted not to exercise his contract option for 2025, ending his tenure with the team. Miller, who posted a 4.53 ERA in 2024, returns to the Diamondbacks, where he previously played as a starting pitcher from 2016 to 2018, now vying for a bullpen spot.