KC Royals: Breaking Down the Payroll for 2016
By Joel Wagler
Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) – Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The KC Royals Have Several Players Eligible of Arbitration in 2016
Here is a list of the players who are eligible for arbitration and will get raises if the Royals make them offers. The salaries listed are their pay for 2015.
- Greg Holland – $8.25 million
- Lorenzo Cain – $2.725 million
- Mike Moustakas – $2.64 million
- Danny Duffy – $2.425 million
- Tim Collins – $1.475 million
- Jarrod Dyson – $1.225 million
- Drew Butera – $.8 million (round down from $809,426)
It would be surprising if Collins and Butera saw offers. These players can be easily replaced. Dyson has been a key part of this team and could expect a slight raise. It is very difficult to guess what kind of offer the Royals will make, but Dayton Moore has never gone to arbitration with a player – ever.
The Royals have a lot tied up in Holland so he will get an offer unless there is an injury concern. His performance this season has been rough as indicated by his 3.92 ERA and his 1.462 WHIP. He is going to throw a career low in innings, but a wide margin (not counting the 18.1 in 2010). Still, he has converted 28 of 32 save opportunities.
Let’s give Holland $9.5 million, Cain $6.5 million, Moustakas $6 million, Duffy $5 million, and Dyson $2 million. This totals $29 million.
Lorenzo Cain has been magnificent on offense and defense. He’s batting .311 with a .850 OPS according to Baseball-Reference. He sits at 5.3 Wins Above Replacement and has an Ultimate Zone Rating of 7.5 so far, and has ten Defensive Runs Saved, both of these numbers provided by FanGraphs. He is in line for a hefty raise.
Moustakas is having the best all-around year of his career as proven by his career high .799 OPS. Duffy has also made positive strides and will get a raise too.
So, for the sake of argument, let’s estimate what each play might get for next season. These are only guesses, but they should be within the ballpark.
Let’s give Holland $9.5 million, Cain $6.5 million, Moustakas $6 million, Duffy $5 million, and Dyson $2 million. This totals $29 million.
Next: So How High is the Payroll Now