Royals, Chen agree to 1-year deal with 2015 option

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -

The Royals agreed to terms with left-hander Bruce Chen on one-year deal Thursday, giving them a veteran pitcher comfortable as a long reliever or in the starting rotation.

Kansas City had yet to announce the contract, which includes a mutual option for 2015.

The 36-year-old, one of the most popular players in the clubhouse, has spent the past five seasons in Kansas City. He's coming off perhaps the finest year of his 15'-year career, going 9-4 with a 3.27 ERA while making 15 starts and 19 appearances out of the bullpen.

Chen will likely assume a similar role this season, providing a cushion in the event of an injury or if young starters such as Yordano Ventura aren't ready out of spring training.

MEEEEHHH. That's all I really have to say about this. 4.5 million for one year of Chen? C'mon Dayton. I love the Chen ball, but god damn this basically destroys our hopes of resigning Santana. Looking like another season of missing the playoffs. Oh well. I'll still be out there every chance I get. 

-PC