Like many Kansas City Royals free-agent signings, Edinson Volquez has a mutual option tacked on to the end of his contract. Kansas City could try to extend Volquez’s deal for $10 million for one more year. If either party declines their option, the KC Royals will have to pay a $3 million buyout.
Volquez’s numbers don’t look very good this season. He’s 10-11 with a 5.40 ERA in 175.0 innings pitched. According to Baseball-reference, Volquez has been worth -1.0 bWAR—which is less than replacement level. If the team believes that measure is an accurate assessment of what they can expect from him going forward, Volquez isn’t worth $10 million.