Mike Moustakas signs one-year deal, avoids arbitration

Mike Moustakas agreed to terms Tuesday afternoon, signing a one-year $2.64 million deal with the Royals, avoiding arbitration. The 26-year old third baseman had a career worst season, hitting .212/.271/.361 with 15 HR 54 RBI, but he did have a solid post-season, setting a franchise record with five post-season home runs and coming up with an iconic catch against the Orioles in the ALCS. He had been asking for $3.1 million from the Royals, with the club countering with $1.8 million.

Moustakas will enter his fifth season in the big leagues as a career .236/.290/.379 hitter. His best season came in 2012 where he was hitting .268/.327/.490 at the All-Star break, but he has been largely a disappointment since then. The former first round pick was in his first year of arbitration. He can earn $10,000 with 550 plate appearances this season.

The Royals have settled with Louis Coleman, Tim Collins, Jarrod Dyson, and Mike Moustakas, but still have five remaining arbitration cases with Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer, Greg Holland, Danny Duffy, and Kelvin Herrera. Arbitration hearings will be scheduled over the next few weeks.