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The Royals have settled with reliever Kelvin Herrera on a one-year, $5.325 million contract, avoiding arbitration, according to reporter Ken Rosenthal. Herrera was the last remaining arbitration case for the Royals. Herrera had filed for $5.6 million, the Royals offered $5.05 million. MLB Trade Rumors had projected Herrera to receive $5.3 million. The Royals have never gone to an arbitration hearing under Dayton Moore.
Herrera is expected to be the Royals closer after the trade of Wade Davis. Last season, he had a 2.75 ERA and 2.47 FIP with a career high 86 strikeouts in 72 innings and 12 saves. He will be eligible again for arbitration next winter before he become eligible for free agency following the 2018 season.
There was a thought of doing something longer. He's scheduled for free agency after the 2018 season. https://t.co/qcsRZ4snTf
— Sam Mellinger (@mellinger) February 3, 2017
Royals are a file-and-trial team but settled in arb with Kelvin Herrera for $5.325M. Didn't want a fight in aftermath of Ventura tragedy.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 3, 2017
— Kelvin Herrera (@KelvinHerrera40) February 3, 2017
The Royals project to have a payroll around $130 million for this season. Dayton Moore said earlier this week the team will likely make one more move to add a pitcher before spring training, possibly through a trade. There have also been reports they are keeping an eye on free agent starting pitcher Jason Hammel.
| Players | 2017 salary |
| Alex Gordon | $16,000,000 |
| Ian Kennedy | $13,500,000 |
| Eric Hosmer | $12,250,000 |
| Lorenzo Cain | $11,000,000 |
| Mike Moustakas | $8,700,000 |
| Jason Vargas | $8,000,000 |
| Omar Infante | $8,000,000 |
| Joakim Soria | $8,000,000 |
| Alcides Escobar | $6,500,000 |
| Chris Young | $5,750,000 |
| Kelvin Herrera | $5,325,000 |
| Danny Duffy | $5,000,000 |
| Salvador Perez | $4,200,000 |
| Mike Minor | $4,000,000 |
| Brandon Moss | $3,750,000 |
| Jorge Soler | $3,666,667 |
| Drew Butera | $1,500,000 |
| Billy Burns | $535,000 |
| Christian Colon | $535,000 |
| Cheslor Cuthbert | $535,000 |
| Brian Flynn | $535,000 |
| Nate Karns | $535,000 |
| Whit Merrifield | $535,000 |
| Paulo Orlando | $535,000 |
| Matt Strahm | $535,000 |
| $129,423,684 |