Royals, pitcher Bruce Chen agree to two-year, $9 million contract

By BOB DUTTON

The Kansas City Star

JOHN SLEEZER

Bruce Chen will be in a Royals uniform for two more seasons after agreeing to a new contract with the team.

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C’mon back, Chen!

The Royals reached agreement Wednesday night with veteran left-hander Bruce Chen, their pitcher of the year, on a two-year contract for a guaranteed $9 million. The deal is pending a routine physical that should occur early next week.

“Bruce has been our most consistent pitcher over the last two seasons,” general manager Dayton Moore said, “and we feel he’s going to continue to perform at that level.”

The deal calls $4.5 million in base salary for 2012 and 2013 with the opportunity to add $1 million each year through performance bonuses.

Chen, 34, made $2 million last year in base salary while going 12-8 with a 3.77 ERA in 25 starts. He is a combined 24-15 with a 3.96 ERA over the last two seasons.

“Bruce is a solid guy,” manager Ned Yost said. “He’s been our best pitcher the last two years. There are going to be days when he struggles, but those days are few and far between.”

Chen previously indicated a preference to remain with the Royals.

“We have a very good young ballclub,” he said. “The guys can really hit. Our defense is really good. The fans are great. They’re dying for us to win. I’ve grown very fond of the city. I even train here in Kansas City, so I would like to come back.”

Retaining Chen further bolsters a rotation that added left-hander Jonathan Sanchez through a trade earlier this month that sent outfielder Melky Cabrera to San Francisco.

Chen joins a projected unit of Sanchez, Luke Hochevar, Felipe Paulino and Danny Duffy – although Paulino and Duffy face a spring battle to hold jobs from Aaron Crow, Everett Teaford, Luis Mendoza and Mike Montgomery.

“We certainly have some quality depth,” Moore said, “but it’s going to be an open competition. It’s a matter of getting the right guys. And we’re not done. We’re still looking to add another pitcher.”

Chen on the AL charts

Left-hander Bruce Chen’s 23 victories since entering the Royals’ rotation on May 30, 2010 are tied for 14th among all American League starters in that span. Chen’s 48 starts in that span, due to an injury last season, are at least five fewer than anyone else on the list.

Pitcher, Team, GS, Record, ERA

Justin Verlander, Detroit, 57, 37-11, 2.72

CC Sabathia, New York, 56, 36-12, 2.90

Jon Lester, Boston, 53, 29-16, 3.40

C.J. Wilson, Texas, 57, 28-12, 3.08

Trevor Cahill, Oakland, 58, 27-20, 3.61

Jered Weaver, Los Angeles, 56, 27-18, 2.64

Gio Gonzalez, Oakland, 55, 26-18, 3.11

Max Scherzer, Detroit, 56, 26-16, 3.56

Felix Hernandez, Seattle, 56, 25-22, 2.74

Ricky Romero, 54, 25-18, 3.29

David Price, Tampa Bay, 55, 24-17, 3.22