:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69893435/1318736923.0.jpg)
A promising start by the Royals in 2021 raised hopes that perhaps the timeline for contention was accelerated. A dreadful summer added a dose of reality, but the club has played better down the stretch. With the season winding down, Royals fans will begin to look towards next year with some hope as prospects like Bobby Witt, Jr., MJ Melendez, and Nick Pratto should make their big league debuts. Let’s take a look at what the long-term payroll situation looks like.
The Royals had an Opening Day payroll of around $89 million this year. They have five players eligible for free agency this winter - Wade Davis, Jesse Hahn, Greg Holland, Ervin Santana, and Michael Taylor.
Next year, they have five players under contract, who will make a combined $46 million:
- Salvador Perez - $18 million
- Carlos Santana - $10.5 million
- Mike Minor- $10 million
- Hunter Dozier - $4.75 million
- Whit Merrifield - $2.75 million
Source: Cot’s Contracts
They will have another seven players eligible for arbitration - Hanser Alberto, Scott Barlow, Andrew Benintendi, Cam Gallagher, Jakob Junis, Brad Keller, and Adalberto Mondesi. MLB Trade Rumors will have their arbitration estimates out in a few weeks, but we can give our own ballpark estimate on what arbitration-eligible players for the Royals might receive.
Arbitration estimates for Royals in 2022
| Player | Current salary | 2022 Arbitration year | 2022 Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Current salary | 2022 Arbitration year | 2022 Estimate |
| Hanser Alberto | $1,650,000 | Arb 3 | $1,900,000 |
| Scott Barlow | $650,000 | Arb 1 | $2,000,000 |
| Andrew Benintendi | $6,600,000 | Arb 3 | $8,800,000 |
| Cam Gallagher | $604,000 | Arb 1 | $800,000 |
| Jakob Junis | $1,700,000 | Arb 2 | $1,900,000 |
| Brad Keller | $3,350,000 | Arb 2 | $5,500,000 |
| Adalberto Mondesi | $2,525,000 | Arb 2 | $4,200,000 |
| Total | $25,100,000 |
The total cost of the players is just over $25 million, and you could save a bit of money with non-tenders for Alberto, Gallagher, and/or Junis.
The other 14 players to fill out the roster would cost about $8-9 million.
Royals future payrolls
| Player | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Notes |
| Salvador Perez | $18,000,000 | $20,000,000 | $20,000,000 | |
| Carlos Santana | $10,500,000 | Free agent | ||
| Mike Minor | $10,000,000 | $1,000,000 | Free agent | $13M club option in 2023, $1M buyout |
| Hunter Dozier | $4,750,000 | $7,500,000 | $9,250,000 | |
| Whit Merrifield | $2,750,000 | $750,000 | Free agent | $6.5M club option in 2023, $750k buyout |
| Andrew Benintendi | $8,800,000 | Free agent | ||
| Brad Keller | $5,500,000 | Arb 3 | Free agent | |
| Adalberto Mondesi | $4,200,000 | Arb 3 | Free agent | |
| Scott Barlow | $2,000,000 | Arb 2 | Arb 3 | |
| Jakob Junis | $1,900,000 | Arb 3 | Free agent | |
| Hanser Alberto | $1,900,000 | Free agent | ||
| Cam Gallagher | $800,000 | Arb 2 | Arb 3 | |
| Nicky Lopez | $650,000 | Arb 1 | Arb 2 | |
| Brady Singer | $650,000 | Arb 1 | Arb 2 | |
| Josh Staumont | $650,000 | Arb 1 | Arb 2 | |
| Kyle Zimmer | $650,000 | Arb 1 | Arb 2 | |
| Ryan O'Hearn | $625,000 | |||
| Carlos Hernandez | $625,000 | |||
| Jake Brentz | $625,000 | |||
| Domingo Tapia | $625,000 | |||
| Kyle Isbel | $600,000 | |||
| Edward Olivares | $600,000 | |||
| Kris Bubic | $600,000 | |||
| Daniel Lynch | $600,000 | |||
| Jackson Kowar | $600,000 | |||
| Richard Lovelady | $600,000 | |||
| Total | $79,800,000 | $29,250,000 | $29,250,000 |
Numbers in italics are estimates. Source: Cot’s Contracts
It remains to be seen how much ownership will be willing to spend this off-season after taking a financial hit due to the pandemic in 2020. Fans were allowed in full capacity this season, but did not come back in droves due to COVID-19 concerns and poor summer play by the club. On the other hand, the team is benefitting from a new television deal that pays them substantially more than their old deal.
Royals payrolls
| Year | Opening day payroll |
|---|---|
| Year | Opening day payroll |
| 2012 | $64,001,725 |
| 2013 | $81,871,725 |
| 2014 | $92,185,521 |
| 2015 | $112,857,025 |
| 2016 | $131,487,125 |
| 2017 | $143,005,817 |
| 2018 | $122,233,117 |
| 2019 | $96,565,066 |
| 2020 | $34,199,019 |
| 2021 | $88,946,700 |
Source: Cot’s Contracts
The Royals have a winning record in the second half of the season, largely due to improved performance from the starting pitching staff, which is now filled with young arms. Management could decide to make a big splash in the free agent market to catapult the team into contention. There is still a glaring need in centerfield next year, and the team could use more depth in both the rotation and bullpen. Here is a list of players eligible for free agents this off-season. See anyone you like?