KANSAS CITY -- In an effort to address their outfield needs and bring in depth, the Royals signed utilityman Garrett Hampson to a one-year contract, the team announced on Wednesday.
Hampson’s deal is worth $2 million, a source told MLB.com.
The 29-year-old spent the first five seasons of his career with Colorado, the team that took him in the third round of the 2016 Draft, but he played 98 games last year with Miami, where he shuffled between the infield and outfield. Hampson played all three spots in the outfield and mostly shortstop when he was on the dirt, although he logged 13 games at second base and five at third.
Hampson hit a career-best .276 with the Marlins in 2023, posting a .729 OPS with 12 doubles and three homers. One of his best years in Colorado was in ‘21, when he set career highs in games (147), doubles (21), home runs (11) and stolen bases (17).
The Royals are set at shortstop with Bobby Witt Jr. as their franchise player, but Hampson will likely serve as veteran depth in the infield with the chance to earn a starting spot in Spring Training. Michael Massey is the incumbent at second base, but the Royals have been open about stating their need for a corner outfielder this winter.