The MLB offseason has been progressing, and while the Kansas City Royals have been relatively quiet recently, former players have been finding new opportunities.
On December 16, ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers had signed Royals pitcher Matt Sauer to a minor league contract for 2025, with an invitation to spring training.
Sauer’s time with the Royals was brief. Originally drafted by the New York Yankees in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft, Sauer spent several years in the Yankees’ system without being added to their 40-man roster.
This allowed the Royals to select him in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2023, paying $100,000 to the Yankees for the rights to him. As per Rule 5 Draft rules, Sauer had to remain on the Royals’ 26-man roster for the entire 2024 season or be offered back to the Yankees for $50,000.
On March 23, 2024, Royals manager Matt Quatraro confirmed that Sauer, who was ranked as the No. 22 prospect in the Royals’ system, had made the team’s Opening Day roster as a relief pitcher despite never pitching above Double-A.
Sauer made a solid debut on March 31 against the Minnesota Twins, throwing a scoreless inning and allowing just one hit. He continued to pitch well in his first three appearances, but his performance quickly began to decline. In a game against the New York Mets on April 13, Sauer allowed a two-run homer and two walks in just three batters before being pulled from the game.
By May 19, Sauer had accumulated a rough 7.71 ERA and 2.08 WHIP in 16.1 innings, allowing 14 earned runs, 23 hits, and 11 walks, with just 9 strikeouts. As a result, the Royals designated him for assignment on May 20. Six days later, Sauer was returned to the Yankees for $50,000.
Sauer’s struggles continued upon his return to the Yankees’ system. In Triple-A, he posted a disastrous 16.20 ERA, allowing 15 earned runs in just 8.1 innings, leading to his demotion to Double-A on July 5. At the end of the 2024 season, he elected free agency.
Now with a new minor league contract and an invitation to spring training from the Dodgers, Sauer has an opportunity to rebuild his career. Given his struggles in both the majors and Triple-A last season, it’s unlikely he’ll make the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster. However, the Dodgers are known for their strong pitching development, so if Sauer can work on improving his control in the minors, he may get another shot in the big leagues at some point during the season.
