The Royals made the first of many potential significant moves Thursday to address their bullpen for 2027 when Kansas City announced that it declined the $13 million club option on closer Carlos Estévez while exercising a $2.5 million club option on right-hander Tony Gonsolin.
Estévez, who led the Major Leagues with 42 saves in 2025, is now a free agent, joining catcher Luke Maile, second baseman Jonathan India and right-hander Craig Kimbrel.
Kansas City will pay Estévez $2 million as part of the buyout. Gonsolin originally signed a Major League contract with the Royals on Aug. 13.
Gonsolin, 32, joined Kansas City while recovering from right elbow surgery he underwent in August 2025 with the Dodgers. The right-hander missed the entire 2024 season following Tommy John surgery in 2023 and made seven starts in '25 before undergoing another procedure to repair his elbow with an internal brace.
The former All-Star began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Aug. 26, working his way back to the Majors before making his lone appearance for Kansas City on Sept. 22. He allowed five runs over 2 2/3 innings against the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium in that outing.
Before injuries interrupted his career, Gonsolin established himself as a reliable starter with Los Angeles. His best season came in 2022, when he went 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA across 24 starts and earned his first All-Star selection. He owns a 37-13 record with a 3.43 ERA in 87 career appearances (78 starts).
Retaining Gonsolin gives the Royals another potential arm for 2027, whether in the starting rotation or bullpen, which both need to be addressed ahead of next season.
Estévez, meanwhile, departs Kansas City after two years marked by an 2025 All-Star campaign followed by an injury-shortened 2026.
The veteran closer signed a two-year, $22.2 million contract with the Royals ahead of the 2025 season, where he compiled a 2.45 ERA across 67 games. He appeared to be a major piece at the back end of Kansas City’s bullpen entering 2026 alongside Matt Strahm and Lucas Erceg, but he was limited to only one appearance this season.
Estévez struggled with decreased velocity and command from the start of Spring Training before blowing a save against the Braves on March 28, allowing a walk-off grand slam. He was later placed on the injured list with a left foot contusion after getting struck by a comebacker in that outing, and Estévez subsequently sustained a right rotator cuff injury that led to surgery in September, officially ending his season.
Estévez finished his Royals tenure with a 3.26 ERA across parts of two seasons.
His departure leaves Kansas City with another bullpen vacancy to resolve this offseason. The Royals finished 29th in the Majors with a 5.07 bullpen ERA in 2026, making relief pitching one of the club's biggest offseason priorities as it looks to rebound from a 69-93 campaign after back-to-back seasons with winning records.