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The Royals on Tuesday night tendered contracts to relievers Tim Collins and Louis Coleman, keeping the arbitration-eligible players on the roster. The 25-year old Collins is coming off his worst season in four years with the Royals, with a 3.86 ERA in 21 innings, including spending three months of the year in Omaha after a demotion in June. Collins posted a career worst strikeouts-per-nine innings ratio at 6.4, but did appear to pitch better after being recalled in September and was included on the post-season roster. MLB Trade Rumors predicts Collins could make $1.5 million in arbitration.
Louis Coleman qualified for arbitration under "Super-Two status" and was tendered a contract on Tuesday. The 28-year old right-hander struggled mightily this season and also spent much of the year in the minors with Omaha. He posted a 5.56 ERA and a 5.69 FIP with a career-worst 6.4 strikeouts-per-nine innings. Coleman suffered a finger injury in spring training that may have lingered and hampered his performance. In four seasons with the Royals, Coleman has a 3.25 career ERA (4.30 FIP) with 185 strikeouts in 174 1/3 innings. He has been particularly effective against right-handers with a line of .216/.306/.394 against them. MLB Trade Rumors predicts Coleman could earn $700,000 in arbitration.
Both Collins and Coleman could still be released in spring training, with the Royals obligated to pay just a portion of their respective contracts.
The Royals decided to non-tender left-hander Francisley Bueno, cutting ties with the Cuban-born pitcher. Originally signed on a minor league contract in 2012, Bueno posted a 4.18 ERA (3.84 FIP) in 32 1/3 innings with just seven walks allowed. Lefties hit just .206/.235/.270 in 68 plate appearances against Bueno in 2014. Bueno was not eligible for arbitration, but the Royals decided to open up a spot on the 40-man roster and part ways with Bueno.
The Royals tendered contracts to all their remaining arbitration-eligible players including Eric Hosmer, Greg Holland, Kelvin Herrera, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain, Jarrod Dyson, and Danny Duffy.