Royals reach agreement with Eric Hosmer on one-year deal

The Royals have come to terms on a one-year deal worth $12.25 million with first baseman Eric Hosmer, according to reporter Jeffrey Flanagan. Hosmer was in his last year of arbitration before being eligible for free agency following the season. MLB Trade Rumors had projected him to receive a salary of $13.3 million through the arbitration process. He will be the third-highest paid player on the Royals next year, behind Alex Gordon and Ian Kennedy. The 27-year old Hosmer hit .266/.328/.433 with a career-high 25 HR 104 RBI last season, earning his first All-Star appearance, where he was named the game’s MVP.

The Royals still have two remaining players eligible for free agency - Danny Duffy and Kelvin Herrera. They are reportedly in talks on a long-term deal with Duffy and he expressed his interest in staying again this week on 610 KCSP.

Today is the deadline for clubs and players to exchange figures before the arbitration process. Arbitration hearings will be scheduled the first three weeks of February. Clubs and players can still agree to a deal at any time up to the hearing. The Royals have never gone to arbitration since Dayton Moore took over as General Manager, and arbitration hearings have declined significantly over the last decade.

Update: Kelvin Herrera and Danny Duffy have each exchanged figures with the club.