Orioles will re-sign slugger Chris Davis; Royals set to sign Ian Kennedy

Chris Davis and the Orioles are together again.

Multiple people with knowledge of the situation say Davis has agreed to a seven-year, $161-million contract with Baltimore, pending a physical.

The people spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because the Orioles have not announced the transaction.

The 29-year-old Davis has been with Baltimore since 2011. He hit a major-league leading 47 home runs and amassed 117 RBIs last year.

Davis became a free agent after the 2015 season, and he wondered aloud during the final week whether his time in Baltimore was up.

“I’m trying not to reminisce too much just yet,” he said. “I definitely want to enjoy these last few games, just kind of take everything in, being around these guys, playing in front of our fans, and wearing this uniform. I try not to let myself look too far ahead. If I did that, it would be a lot harder the last few days and take some joy away.”

The Orioles were his most aggressive suitor, offering a seven-year deal last month. Since coming to the Orioles in a July 2011 trade with Texas, Davis has been a sensational run producer and a positive force in the clubhouse.

“I’ve said all along, Chris is a body-of-work guy,” Manager Buck Showalter said. “When you get through and step back, he can do a lot of things that not many people can do. He may go some at-bats and just not look aesthetically pleasing, but he’s always one swing, one at-bat away. He squares up a ball, and it goes where you can’t defend it.”

After Davis and his agent, Scott Boras, stalled making a decision this off-season, Baltimore reportedly made an offer this week to hard-hitting free agent Yoenis Cespedes.

See more of our top stories on Facebook >>

Within days, Davis had himself a deal.

Davis has 203 career homers, including 126 over the last three years. He hit a career-high 53 long balls in 2013.

Royals sign Kennedy

The Royals and pitcher Ian Kennedy agreed to a $70-million, five-year deal that includes an opt-out after the first two years, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract will not be completed until the 31-year-old right-hander passes a physical. That could happen this week.

Kennedy went 9-15 with a 4.28 ERA for the San Diego Padres last season. He is four years removed from a 21-win season with the Arizona Diamondbacks and has also pitched for the New York Yankees during his nine-year career.

Right-hander Ian Kennedy went 9-15 with a 4.28 ERA for the San Diego Padres last season.

(Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)

The Royals sought another starter to replace Johnny Cueto, who signed a $130 million, six-year deal with the Giants after helping Kansas City win its first World Series since 1985.

Kennedy turned down the Padres’ qualifying offer — a guaranteed $15.8 million salary for next season. That means San Diego will receive a draft pick from Kansas City as compensation.

Get the latest in sports with our free newsletter >>

The Royals hope Kennedy can return to form under pitching coach Dave Eiland, who has worked wonders with Edinson Volquez, Yordano Ventura and others over the years. Kennedy and Eiland are familiar with each other after their years in the Yankees system.

Kennedy should also benefit from pitching in spacious Kauffman Stadium. While his strikeout rate was among the best in the game last season, he also allowed 31 homers in just 168 1-3 innings.

ALSO

Jake Arrieta and Cubs are $5.5 million apart in arbitration figures

Dodgers avoid arbitration with four more players, including Kenley Jansen

Angels sign Alburquerque; trade arbitration figures with Richards, Calhoun