Royals Sign Cole Ragans to Three-Year Contract

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Kansas City Royals announced that left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans has agreed to a three-year contract through the 2027 season. The deal covers 2025, plus what would have been his first two years of salary arbitration. Ragans remains under club control through 2028.

¡°Cole has been one of the league¡¯s best starters and a terrific teammate since joining us,¡± said Royals Executive Vice President and General Manager, J.J. Picollo. ¡°He earned this contract through his hard work, perseverance and professionalism. He¡¯s been an outstanding performer for us at a young age and his success is motivating to us moving forward.¡±

Ragans, 27, went 11-9 in 32 starts with a 3.14 ERA (65 ER in 186.1 IP) in 2024, his first full season in Kansas City. He was named an All-Star for the first time and led the American League in K/9 (10.77), ranked 2nd in strikeouts (223), fWAR (4.9) and finished 4th in the Cy Young Award voting.

Since being acquired in a trade from the Texas Rangers on June 30, 2023, Ragans is 16-11 in 44 starts with Kansas City, and has recorded a 3.00 ERA (86 ER in 258.0 IP) with 312 strikeouts (10.88 K/9).

Since his Royals debut on July 15, 2023, Ragans ranks tied for 5th in the American League in ERA and ranks 3rd among all Major League pitchers with a 7.3 fWAR, trailing only Tarik Skubal (8.8) and Zack Wheeler (7.8).