The Royals are next in MLBTR’s 2013 Contract Issues series:
Eligible For Free Agency (4)
- Jonathan Sanchez - The Royals were hoping for more from Sanchez, who struggled on the mound before hitting the disabled list earlier this month. However, they are short on MLB-ready starting pitching depth.
- Yuniesky Betancourt - The Royals appear to value Betancourt's ability to play multiple infield positions. He'll likely be in line for another one-year deal next offseason.
- Jonathan Broxton - Broxton has pitched effectively for the Royals, even though he doesn't have the swing-and-miss stuff he once did. It's not hard to imagine a reunion, but Broxton will have other offseason suitors.
- Humberto Quintero - Assuming Salvador Perez recovers from his knee injury, and Brayan Pena returns, the Royals would be set behind the plate. None of Kansas City's free agents should expect offseason qualifying offers from the team.
Contract Options (1)
- Joakim Soria: $8MM club option with a $750K buyout. This won't be an easy decision for the Royals, since their longtime closer will miss the 2012 season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. For what it's worth, Soria has said he would like to stay in Kansas City.
Arbitration Eligible (8)
- First time: Blake Wood, Jason Bourgeois
- Second time: Mitch Maier, Jose Mijares, Chris Getz
- Third time: Luke Hochevar, Felipe Paulino, Brayan Pena
The Royals have worked aggressively to extend some of their young position players and others aren't yet arbitration eligible, so next offseason's class should be relatively manageable. Hochevar and Paulino are getting expensive, but Mijares could be traded. Bourgeois could miss the cutoff for eligibility, depending on how long he remains in the minor leagues. Wood will be eligible even though he's missing the entire season to undergo Tommy John ligament replacement surgery.
2013 Payroll Obligation
The Royals have committed just shy of $35MM to next year's team, not counting Soria's option or arb-eligible players going year to year. If ownership is willing to maintain a payroll in the $65MM range, GM Dayton Moore should be well-positioned to pursue some second-tier free agents this coming offseason.
Falu has been a pleasant surprise. He might get Betancourt’s roster spot next year. He does not have the power Betancourt does, but he hits for a higher average, plays multiple positions and is a better defensive player – all for 1.5 million less per year. Plus – he is a switch hitter.
yeah, but Dayton Moore obviously has a man crush on Betancourt and Getz–in case you haven’t noticed. Any team that needs Betancourt and Getz on it is not a very good team–period.
If Soria really wants to stay and if GMDM wants to take on a risk with Soria, then why not buy him out then negotiate a 1 year deal with options for a cheaper price?
As far as Soria do not spend a lot of money on a closer , especially if there is ANY doubt about his health or if his performance has been declining. And for a small market team this is especially a no brainer.
Second Tier?! More like Cole Hamels!!
I keep hoping to see a 3 year extension signed with Paulino. Dude seems like the real deal, when he’s healthy
Give him a full season his track record has not been good…..Even though I like what he did against the Yankees the last two times out, but remember the Yankees have been struggling offensively to start this season.
He was very solid last year too, with KC.
I don’t expect lights out number 1 type stuff, but this is a rotation that has used Sanchez, Hochevar, Davies, Bannister, etc in recent years.
A solid pitcher that keeps you in games (ie. Bruce Chen) is worth locking up in KC.
Soria will be back for MUCH less than $8 million and probably an incentive-laden contract. Also, I’d be surprised if he is the closer, especially at first.