The Royals have defeated starter Brady Singer in arbitration, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (on Twitter). The right-hander will make $2.95MM this year rather than his group’s desired $3.325MM.
Singer, 26, qualified for early arbitration as a Super Two player. He’ll be eligible for the process thrice more over the coming winters, with the Royals keeping him under club control through 2026. The arbitration loss means he’ll start from a slightly lower platform salary than he’d hoped as he progresses through that process, with a $375K gap in the sides’ respective filing figures.
A former first-round draftee, Singer has started 63 of 66 games at the big league level. His performance over his first couple seasons was solid but the Royals nevertheless kept him in the bullpen to open last year. Within a few weeks, they’d optioned him out to build back up as a starter in Triple-A Omaha. That decision prevented Singer from gaining a full service year in 2022, extending the Royals’ window of club control by another season.
That extra year he’ll spend in Kansas City now looks quite valuable. Singer had a breakout showing, working to a 3.23 ERA across 153 1/3 innings. He struck out opponents at an above-average 24.2% rate, induced grounders at a quality 49% clip and limited walks to a meager 5.6% mark. Singer is arguably the best pitcher on the K.C. roster and certainly enters the upcoming season without a question about his role in the starting five.
The Royals have Zack Greinke and Jordan Lyles locked into spots behind Singer on the depth chart. Offseason signee Ryan Yarbrough, Daniel Lynch, Brad Keller and Kris Bubic are among those who could vie for starts at the back end. Singer was the lone arbitration-eligible player on the K.C. roster who didn’t agree to terms prior to the January 14 filing deadline; the team’s arbitration business for this winter is complete.
Ah, “defeat” returns triumphantly.
Geez what a bad organization right now. Rojas and Pffadt for Singer
I know it’s “ONLY” $330,000.00 difference between the two figures but I’m surprised that the ruling went in the team’s favor.
I mean he only had one really good year so far and he’s super 2 so it’s really not that surprising.
Defeat. He knows it well as a Royal. Sorry, KC fans. Couldn’t resist. 🙂
Had a fine year. Kind of surprised he lost over such a small amount. Even for the Royals, it may not seem like much, but arbitration awards are cumulative, so a win during his first last through arbitration could cost them millions additionally over the next four seasons. I wonder if they’ll try for an early extension?
Next step: demand a trade.
Or dominate, remember the fight over $300,000, and depart at age 29.
He fought too. Could have accepted their offer but didn’t.
Good for him. He needs to fight for every dollar he can so he doesn’t lose money in future arb hearings. The owners don’t deserve charity.
I don’t disagree. If I were him I would fight too. I just don’t understand the mentality where it’s okay for the player to fight but not the owners. Yes, the owners make way more than the players, but it’s still money.
Hope they extend him. Maybe they’re being savy for a bit, as they have time. See if he at least maintains.
What a lame ass rotation that is.
T-R-O-L-L !!!
Good news!
Worthless comment!
I posted this on another story but hoping to gain some insight. I keep seeing people commenting that the team “should have just paid the player” with the hope that the player will somehow show them some sort good grace when it comes time for free agency.
Can someone provide an instance when a player entering free agency gave the team some sort of discount due to the team paying more than they needed to during an arbitration process? I can’t imagine this has ever happened.
There is no set objective “market value” for any player, just the contracts they’ve signed and rumors. Of course what you’re asking for doesn’t exist because the owners would never let it exist. You’re just arguing in bad faith to defend the owners under the guise of “just asking questions”.
Interesting how you’ve read into my motivation for asking an honest question. Since there is no real example that fits your agenda you accuse me of being dishonest instead of just admitting your agenda is unfounded? Sounds like you may be the one with “guise.” I guess I’ll continue to wait.
And you still have not provided me with an instance in the entire history of baseball arbitration where a player has given a team a discount in free agency because the team showed “good faith” in the arbitration process. I’ll continue to assume it’s never happened and laugh at those who use that as an argument for a team to give extra money to a player who has not earned it. Charity isn’t usually a good thing when you’re talking about making the rich richer.
Brady sings the blues.
Well a silver lining, playing for Kansas City gets you medicaid coverage.
Brady should tell the Royals to shove it. The Royals shouldn’t have control over him for 3 more years. Most ball players don’t play more than a few years
He should sit out and demand they pay him his salary!
Seems like the teams are winning at a pretty good clip this year.
It is hard to imagine that Kris Bubic will get much of a look as a starter. He has proven over three years, he is not very close to even an average major league picture. I think Lynch will win a spot in the rotation and hopefully he will find out how to pitch.
Lynch got rushed, pretty sure he didn’t even throw double or triple A. I agree bubic has a lot to prove and a shorter leash. I think Lynch gonna breakout
It’ll be fine for mr. singer, a couple hundred thousand. Just watch how he pitches this year he’ll be making 15 mil next season
Kinda weird this article highlights Singer losing the case, while the other arbitration cases say the team won (when the player loses).