Lorenzo Cain signs one-year contract, avoiding arbitration

Lorenzo Cain has signed a one-year $2.75 million contract, avoiding arbitration, reports Jeffrey Flanagan. Cain had asked for $3.6 million in his first year of salary arbitration with the Royals countering with $2 million. The 28-year old had a career season in 2014, hitting .301/.339/.412 with 5 HR 53 RBI. It was the first time the oft-injured outfielder had ever played more than 120 games in a season. Cain was also named ALCS MVP after hitting .533 against the Orioles. Cain split time between centerfield and rightfield, likely costing him a Gold Glove as he was widely praised for his defense and finished sixth in all of baseball in dWAR.

Cain can earn a $25,000 bonus for reaching 505 plate appearances, a plateau he has never reached, and he can earn $50,000 for making his first All-Star team.

The Royals now have 21 players under contract, set to earn $92 million. They still have four salary arbitration cases left with Danny Duffy, Eric Hosmer, Greg Holland, and Kelvin Herrera.