The Kansas City Royals went on a bargain-basement free-agent shopping spree before Opening Day 2019. The curious signings characteristic of General Manager Dayton Moore’s approach to free agency continued: critics panned the choices of most of the eight veteran major leaguers Moore pursued and signed. The criticism was not without justification as most were disappointments and all were released, traded, sold or waived before September.
Pitcher Brad Boxberger posted a 1-3 record and 5.40 ERA in 29 games and was released in July. Chris Owings, as inexplicable a signing as any of Moore’s previous choices, hit .