Kansas City, Mo. ? Perhaps the Royals and Danny Duffy thought Kansas City sports fans could use some good news.

The team announced a $65 million, five-year contract with the popular left-hander on Monday, ensuring he will remain with the Royals through the 2021 season. Duffy was eligible for arbitration and could have become a free agent after the upcoming season.

Instead, he will earn $5 million this year before a bump to $14 million in 2018. He will make $15.25 million each in 2019 and 2020 and $15.5 million in the final year of the deal.

“Danny has been great. He has one of the best arms in all of baseball,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said earlier this offseason. “The fact that he’s left-handed makes him more special and separates him even more. He’s the kind of pitcher we all envision.”

Duffy and Moore are expected to attend a news conference today at Kauffman Stadium.