Greg Holland avoids arbitration, signs one-year deal

The Royals kept their arbitration-less streak alive under Dayton Moore, avoiding arbitration with closer Greg Holland. Holland signs a one-year contract worth $8.25 million according to Jeffrey Flanagan. Holland had been asking for $9 million with the Royals countering with $6.5 million. MLBTradeRumorsprojected a salary of $9.3 million for Holland.

The 29-year old Holland has emerged as one of the best closers in baseball with 93 saves over the last two seasons. He was named an All-Star in both 2013 and 2014, earning Cy Young and MVP votes each season. In both seasons he posted a sub-1.50 ERA, and has a combined 5.6 rWAR over that time. Holland earned $4.675 million last year and is eligible for free agency after the 2016 season.

The Royals have settled eight potential arbitration cases already this winter, but still have one remaining case to deal with in Eric Hosmer.