The Royals are next in our arbitration eligibles series.
- First time: Mitch Maier, Chris Getz
- Second time: Luke Hochevar, Felipe Paulino, Brayan Pena
- Third time: Alex Gordon
- Fourth time: Melky Cabrera
I view Getz and Pena as non-tender candidates. However, with projected salaries of a million bucks or less, they may be retained. Maier is also in line for an affordable salary, at about $700K.
Paulino won't be going anywhere, as we have him down for about $1.6MM. Hochevar leads the club in innings, and should jump up to the $4MM range. Cabrera was a fine cheap free agent signing for GM Dayton Moore, who can retain the outfielder again for approximately $4MM.
We've got Gordon down for $4.3MM. Extension talks are on the offseason agenda, so the Royals could get him at a reduced salary for 2012 as part of a long-term deal.
Why do you think Pena will be a NT candidate? Just curious. I see Yost giving the backup job to Pena over Pina. (haha) Plus he’s got that great clubhouse presence, whatever that means.
I could definitely see it going either way. It doesn’t seem like he’ll fight them tooth and nail on salary, but it is possible they’d still want a guy with a better defensive rep or something.
I hope they lock up Gordon. He has become one heck of a stud ballplayer.
I love Mitch Maier’s professionalism and his work ethic, even when saddled with so little playing time this year.
Having said that, however, I think he gets NTed and Lorenzo Cain becomes the 4th outfielder, getting much more playing time next year considering the chances are high Melky regresses.
Why is everyone so quick to sour on the melkman? The man delivers.
It’s prudent to assume Melky will regress at least a little bit, given his previous track record prior to this year. That doesn’t mean he’ll turn into a pumpkin next year, but if he loses .20 or .25 points on his average his value will go down very quickly.
I don’t know…a pumpkin has more value than someone hitting .098 or .048
Har har, you know what I meant.
So why can’t the same be assumed for Alex Gordon (regressing) – Melky is actually younger the Gordon.
You’re looking at the situation through the eyes of a Royals fan who isn’t used to trades involving prospects. With the Royals’ need for starting pitching in order to finally become competitive it is very possible some prospects will be traded to make that happen.
With that said I could see Melky and another player packaged to get a #2 or #3 starter. That other player could be Cain, Colon, or even Maier. My belief is that if Maier is on the team next year that means Cain has been traded. Otherwise I think you HAVE to get Cain on the big-league club and get him some playing time. Once you have confidence in his ability next year you move Melky at the deadline and play Cain as your starter and bring up Lough or someone else as the 4th outfielder.