Looking Back: The Highest Paid Royals in 2011

by Freneau on Dec 28, 2011 7:00 AM EST in Kansas City Royals News

Who were the highest paid Royals in 2011? I'm glad you asked. I listen to money singing.

Joakim Soria ($4 million): Saved 28 games in 60 appearances. By just about any measure, 2011 was the worst year of Soria's career, although that sounds worse than it is.
Jason Kendall ($3.75 million): Didn't play a game, but led like hell.
Kyle Davies ($3.2 million): Many were surprised when the Royals brought Davies back, and 2011 showed why.
Billy Butler ($3 million): Butler's last truly cheap season and likely the best value season of his career, barring a major breakout.
Jeff Francoeur ($2.5 million): Francoeur's comeback season was a relative bargain for the Royals. Frenchy has received a $3.5 million raise for 2012.
Bruce Chen ($2 million): Gave the Royals 25 decent starts for $2 million. Like Francoeur and Tony Kornheiser, he's back for more cash in 2012.
Jeff Francis ($2 million): He endured.

As you can see, the Royals were a very low payroll team in 2011. I really didn't like just about any of the team's free agent/arb-eligible signings last winter, but for these prices (the $2 million dollar group) you really can't complain. Yay! I just voiced the same rationalization of Dayton I've come to hate. According to some figures the Royals had the lowest payroll in the game last season.

Of course, for every surprise bargain, you've got a Kendall sitting there as well. And, don't forget, we would have had Gil Meche sitting at the top of this list north of $11 million, had Gil Meche been a normal person.

The excitement for tomorrow's post on 2012 is unbearable.

Tweet Comment 76 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

what's the ranking on wins per million payroll?

or revenue per million payroll?

I am probably the only Royals fan in Hong Kong?

by Yamfun Cheng Kamfun on Dec 28, 2011 7:25 AM EST reply actions

Faurly high

But the scales arent the same

by Freneau on Dec 28, 2011 8:16 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Soria made 4 million and was the highest paid player?

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on Dec 28, 2011 8:04 AM EST reply actions

Yep

Thanks Gil

by Freneau on Dec 28, 2011 8:22 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Also money well spent on Kendall

You can’t measure his leadership, grit, courage, and character. FUCK YOU SABERMETRCIS

BFIB<BFSE........KC needs more Edwin Carl

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 28, 2011 8:28 AM EST reply actions

Meche should get a spot in the Royals HOF

just for doing something that nobody else in the world would have done—give up $11 million because his conscience told him to.

"All the boys think she's a guy
She's got crazy Frenchy eyes."

by Juancho on Dec 28, 2011 9:02 AM EST reply actions

Indeed

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Dec 28, 2011 9:44 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

time to retire his number??

by DickHowser4ever on Dec 28, 2011 9:52 AM EST up reply actions

And a statue

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Dec 28, 2011 9:55 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

maybe they'll hire him to replace Frank White

by DickHowser4ever on Dec 28, 2011 9:56 AM EST up reply actions

a statue of a Gil Meche carrying little Tiny Timmy Collins on a downtown street

with Timmy saying “God bless us, everyone”

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Dec 28, 2011 7:47 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

an $11 million dollar statue.

by Loose Seal on Dec 28, 2011 11:47 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

i totally doubted it at the time

but yea, it really looks like he just walked away from $12 million

meanwhile… team leader kendall…

by Freneau on Dec 28, 2011 10:05 AM EST up reply actions

In Kendall's defense, his ex-wife probably cleaned him out in the divorce

And it’s easier to love your kids when you’ve got an extra $3.75 million in your wallet to take them to the zoo and shit.

by Sweep_the_Leg on Dec 28, 2011 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

Plus, he'll need the money to fix his teeth . . .

. . . after he grinds them all out of their sockets from being so tough and determined.

by kansasjohn on Dec 28, 2011 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Lighten up...

Adderall is expensive!

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Dec 29, 2011 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

as time goes by...

I think Meche’s gesture will gain greater and greater appreciation and respect. For the last year it seems like the focus has been more, “what are they going to do with ‘Meche-money’?”. But I think in the future Meche’s actions will be seen as ‘saint-like’, especially those who complain about high salaries and the business part of baseball.

If women only slept with nice guys...guys would only be nice. And they don't. And we're not.

by setupunchtag on Dec 28, 2011 10:50 AM EST up reply actions

If Elier Hernandez becomes a good Royal then Meche should get a key to the city

because I don’t know if they make that signing without that money. That 12M was turned into Junis, Smith, Lopez, Hernandez, Mondesi, etc.

Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com

by kcscoliny on Dec 28, 2011 2:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

The thing is...

Gil seems to be old school enough to not know he that he actually earned his pay for the beginning of his contract. So he probably felt like he shouldn’t make any more.

Your 2010 Royals Review Fantasy Football Keeper League Champion
Since 2005: Royals win% = .4100, Chiefs win% = .4095

by averagegatsby on Dec 28, 2011 10:13 PM EST up reply actions

He was unconscience at the time.

by kansasjohn on Dec 28, 2011 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

And maybe even unconscious

by Sweep_the_Leg on Dec 28, 2011 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

Are you busting me for my intentional misspelling?

NOOOOOOO!

by kansasjohn on Dec 28, 2011 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

Keep in mind

it wasn’t just that he gave up the money, he willingly gave up the money to the team directly responsible for killing his career. It would be like being due a serious bonus from your boss, then your boss takes away all of your credentials which allow you to do your job, and you say, “no, you keep the money. really.”

Very few people would have the conscience to do that.

by DarthYoshi on Dec 28, 2011 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

I Can't Help

Wondering how his refusal to have surgery before the 2010 season entered into this.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Dec 28, 2011 2:10 PM EST up reply actions

you think they mightve had the ability to void the deal?

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 28, 2011 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

That thought crossed my mind.

I suppose that a player could sign a contract that required that he undergo reasonable medical treatment, but I think it would be against public policy to have a contract requiring somebody to have surgery. The risks of modern surgery may seem statistically small, but probably not to the patient.

If the Royals had the ability to void the deal, they did a heck of a job of telling the story line for line in accordance with Meche’s version – that he could have sat around injured and made the money.

by kansasjohn on Dec 28, 2011 2:46 PM EST up reply actions

if that is the story...well done on both sides....

they both came out looking great, while had it come out that the deal was voided, both sides look bad. t

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 28, 2011 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, the team would look cheaper.

But when they’re the cheapest anyway, they might as well get a stranglehold on the title.

by kansasjohn on Dec 28, 2011 3:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I Had To

Be put out for my arthroscopic elbow surgery. I had no idea this was necessary, and it scared the hell out of me.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Dec 28, 2011 8:56 PM EST up reply actions

They put me out for wisdom tooth removal last year.

I wholeheartedly concur with your sentiments.

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Dec 29, 2011 9:23 AM EST up reply actions

I Kinda Wonder

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Dec 28, 2011 5:35 PM EST up reply actions

hard to believe Davies made more money than Butler.

did KC have to pay Davies the full amount since he didn’t work out as the #6 starter and was released mid season.

by DickHowser4ever on Dec 28, 2011 9:55 AM EST reply actions

How much was...

…Melky paid in 2011? I’m surprised he’s not on this list.

"Sir,--It has been wittily remarked that there are three kinds of falsehood: the first is a 'fib,' the second is a downright lie, and the third and most aggravated is statistics." *The National Observer* (June 13, 1891): p. 93-94.

by timlacy on Dec 28, 2011 10:34 AM EST reply actions

1.25M I think

www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage

by James Quinn on Dec 28, 2011 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

Butler has the 10th best contract according to ESPN, don't think I buy that as a DH

but oh well he made the list.

Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com

by kcscoliny on Dec 28, 2011 10:49 AM EST reply actions

go ESPN?

Twitter
Buried Treasure - #14 Pirates Prospect - Colton Cain
Buried Treasure - Early Draft Preview

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Dec 29, 2011 4:50 AM EST up reply actions

I think you forgot the word

testicular in front of fortitude on the photo caption.

Many people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so.-Bertrand Russell

by Dr. van Strijcker on Dec 28, 2011 10:58 AM EST reply actions

Francoeur

getting $6 million this season? That seems excessive for a player like him. Or is his raise raising his salary to $3.5 million?

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 28, 2011 12:35 PM EST reply actions

2 Years, $13.5M

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Dec 28, 2011 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

i feel like Frenchy is the one of the biggest keys to the season

the guy now has three good years and four years with varying levels of crappy performance. if we get the good version of frenchy (2.5-3.8 WAR), that will be a huge plus. if we get the bad frenchy (-.0.8-0.6 WAR), may god help us all.

by BeauJackson on Dec 28, 2011 1:41 PM EST up reply actions

He'll Be In

RF and batting behind Hos 162 games in 2012, and that’s OK. I don’t think he’ll kill us. It’s 2013 that worries me.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Dec 28, 2011 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

whats the big difference in your mind bw 2012 and 2013?

i mean, they’re his age 28 and 29 seasons…not like he’ll be old

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 28, 2011 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

His Only Full

Season better than 100 OPS+ before last season was 102 in 2007. He surprised me in ‘11, but I’m still skeptical. He has a pretty long track record of sub-par performance, and no real history of injury to excuse it. I’m not worried about ‘12, but we’re supposed to be ready to compete in ’13.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Dec 28, 2011 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Myers is going to be ready in 2013

Frenchy should be the fourth outfielder that year.

"That fucking fucker of a general swears too fucking much." --Unnamed soldier about Gen. George Patton, 1943

by Juancho on Dec 28, 2011 6:29 PM EST up reply actions

Not if he's getting $7 million.

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 28, 2011 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

there's no reason to believe that moore will block myers with francoeur.

he didnt do it with moose, gia, hosmer, perez, etc

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 29, 2011 12:10 AM EST up reply actions

You Can't Believe

That.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Dec 29, 2011 12:33 AM EST up reply actions

i can....and theres no reason anyone shouldnt...

other irrationally assuming dayton will do the worst thing possible in every situation. he hasnt blocked a real prospect who was ready yet

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 29, 2011 1:21 AM EST up reply actions

*other than

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 29, 2011 1:23 AM EST up reply actions

Has he had a $7 million man hanging out in his spot?

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on Dec 29, 2011 7:50 AM EST up reply actions

No,

but if he is willing to rebuff any trade involving Myers up to now, I just don’t see him being blocked by anybody not named Alex Gordon in our OF.

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Dec 29, 2011 9:27 AM EST up reply actions

From what we've seen, I have a hard time believing that much money will be sent to the bench.

And at that price, he’s going to be tough to trade. Don’t know if it will happen but it’s a definite possibility.

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on Dec 29, 2011 9:42 AM EST up reply actions

i can see a trade of Frenchy in 2013 with KC eating half of his remaining salary

by DickHowser4ever on Dec 29, 2011 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

That's the only way it gets done.

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on Dec 29, 2011 12:32 PM EST up reply actions

If He's Playing

Well enough to trade, he won’t be.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Dec 29, 2011 9:36 PM EST up reply actions

you can believe it all you want...

but you cant base it on ‘what youve seen’ b/c what youve seen is every real prospect get a shot when they’re ready

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 29, 2011 2:50 PM EST up reply actions

I can base it on that.

I’ve seen Mike Jacobs play because he was acquired. I’ve Jose Guillen play when it looked like he couldn’t run at all. I’ve seen Jason Kendall play without being able to throw. Those guys were all getting paid and brought in by Moore.

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on Dec 29, 2011 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

blocking which real prospects?

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 29, 2011 4:07 PM EST up reply actions

every team and every gm has played awful players at one time or another....

should every team’s fanbase assume that their top prospects will be blocked by awful players?

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 29, 2011 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

That goes both ways.

I’ve said that, not sure why you’re so adamant it won’t happen. Is it because Betemit and Kila didn’t block Hosmer and Moose? Neither of those guys were making 7 million.

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on Dec 30, 2011 7:39 AM EST up reply actions

im just not one to assume the worst without someone having shown a tendency to do that 'worst'

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 30, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

So saying it's possible is irrational though?

other than irrationally assuming dayton will do the worst thing possible in every situation. he hasnt blocked a real prospect who was ready yet

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on Dec 30, 2011 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

i could get struck by lightning tomorrow...

it’s not rational to worry about it though

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 30, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

Frenchy blocking Myers would be more like

walking down the middle of Ward Parkway and saying the cars will all move for you.

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on Dec 30, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

they probably would....

nobody wants to deal with the hassle that hitting a person brings

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 30, 2011 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

It's about the $$, not the name.

No way a terribly cheap team like this will waste $7 million (I am shocked he even got that contract) on the bench.

Francoeur needs to be traded, but at $7 million, he better have a great season.

What could be better than Dan Johnson
hitting .108
Let's trade Reddick for Heyward!

by QW on Sep 28, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Dec 29, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

Of course, he won't.

There will be an opening in left field by the time Myers is up.

Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan

by Old Man Duggan on Dec 29, 2011 8:04 PM EST up reply actions

you honestly think it's more likely that gordon is traded by time myers is ready than gordon?

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 29, 2011 8:58 PM EST up reply actions

*frenchy

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 30, 2011 2:11 AM EST up reply actions

I certainly worry about this.

I fear that they will not be able to get him signed to an extension and that will lead to the business decision that Gordon not Frenchy will be sent out of town. This concern is exacerbated with each start that Wil Myers makes in left in the minors.

Doesn’t it also strike you as Moore-ian that Frenchy will somehow be a Royal as long as he has a hold of the reins?

Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan

by Old Man Duggan on Dec 30, 2011 2:49 AM EST up reply actions

i think your worries on this front will be taken care of this month

Doesn’t it also strike you as Moore-ian that Frenchy will somehow be a Royal as long as he has a hold of the reins?

i could totally see that if myers completely flames out or if this were 2004 and we were half a decade from competing in the very least. However, Moore drafted Myers. Even DM knows the value of a great player making the league minimum.

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 30, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions

If 2008 or 2010 Francouer shows up, this team could be terrible

Replacing both Francouer and Cabrera’s production could prove difficult. I’ve recently started to have less and less optimism about the 2012 season for whatever reason. My optimism was never higher than about 75 wins, but that win total is slowly sliding down in my mind.

by BeauJackson on Dec 28, 2011 2:39 PM EST up reply actions