The Royals face four contractual options after the season:
- Right fielder David DeJesus has a $6MM club option with a $500K buyout. DeJesus continues to do his thing, and it'll make sense to exercise.
- Reliever Kyle Farnsworth has a $5.25MM club option with a $500K buyout. Farnsworth can void the option if traded, but it's a moot point since it'll surely be declined.
- Center fielder Rick Ankiel has a $6MM mutual option with a $500K buyout. It seems unlikely that both sides exercise.
- Left fielder Scott Podsednik has a $2MM club option with a $100K buyout. He's cooled down in the last few weeks. It's too early to call the option.
The Royals also have four free agents in Jose Guillen, Willie Bloomquist, John Parrish, and Bruce Chen. They're earning a total of $14.7MM this year. Take another $6.25MM off the books for Farnsworth and Ankiel and $4.85MM for buyouts the Royals won't be paying in '11, and the team has $25.8MM coming off the books.
Increases to players under contract total $11.4MM, assuming DeJesus and Podsednik are retained. Zack Greinke has the biggest raise at $6.25MM. First-time arbitration-eligibles include Luke Hochevar, Josh Rupe, Billy Butler, Alberto Callaspo, Brayan Pena, and Josh Fields. Robinson Tejeda and Alex Gordon would go for a second time, while Brian Bannister, Kyle Davies, and Brad Thompson could go for a third. A good portion of the remaining freed up cash will go to arbitration-eligible players, especially Butler, Callaspo, and Bannister.
If the Royals decline their options on Farnsworth and Ankiel and let their other free agents go while holding payroll steady, they may have a few million left to work with after giving raises. Significant free agent spending would require a payroll increase.
Thanks to Cot's Baseball Contracts for the info.
