Greg Holland, Royals Avoid Arbitration

The Royals will continue to avoid arbitration hearings in the Dayton Moore era as they have come to terms with their last arbitration-eligible player, closer Greg Holland. Holland has inked a one year, $4.675 million deal, making him the third highest paid reliever on the team after Luke Hochevar and Wade Davis. Holland had asked for $5.1 million from the club, while they countered with $4.1 million. MLB Trade Rumors projected Holland would earn $4.9 million.

The twenty-eight year old right-hander was in his first year of arbitration. He struggled in the first few weeks of the year, but was dominating from then on, finishing with a miniscule 1.21 ERA in 67 innings with a ridiculous 103 strikeouts and just 18 walks. He set the franchise record for saves with 47, earned MVP and Cy Young votes, and made his first All-Star team. Holland's new contract awards him a $50,000 bonus for making the 2014 All-Star team.