UPDATE: Kansas City has added Gee to the 40-man roster, so his ultimatum got the job done. He won’t be opting out.
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Dillon Gee’s minor-league contract with the Royals includes an opt-out clause and Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports that the veteran right-hander has told the team he will use it if he’s not added to the 40-man roster within the next 48 hours.
Kansas City could add Gee to the 40-man roster without exposing anyone to waivers by shifting left-hander Mike Minor to the 60-day disabled list. They’d only do so if they felt Gee was worth keeping around, obviously, but early indications are that the Royals have been impressed by how he looks coming off an injury wrecked season with the Mets.
Gee’s deal is non-guaranteed, but if he cracks the Opening Day roster it would be worth $2 million in upfront money and as much as $5 million once incentives are factored in. He spent the first six seasons of his career as a starter for the Mets, posting a 4.03 ERA and 489/216 K/BB ratio in 679 innings through age 29.
