The Kansas City Royals liked what they saw from Michael Lorenzen down the stretch last season, when they went from a 106-loss laughingstock to a surprising playoff team thanks in part to their deadline acquisition from Texas.

Right-hander Michael Lorenzen is returning to the Kansas City Royals on a one-year, $7 million contract, reuniting the veteran with the team with which he excelled down the stretch last year.

Michael Lorenzen is a journeyman pitcher, but at 33 years old he's far from washed and he has the stuff to be a valuable part of anyone's rotation.