Kansas City Royals: Breaking Down Record Payroll for 2016
By Joel Wagler
KC Royals Payroll for 2016: The Bullpen
Most of the bullpen spots seem to be locked down. If someone like Duffy can reclaim his rotation spot, then maybe Young or Medlen slides back into the bullpen.
Someone unexpected always seems to emerge from the shadows to take a bullpen spot. It could be a late signing, or someone from the minors, or an offseason minor league signee like David Huff. While the pen looks like most of the spots are set, this always seems to be the unit most unlikely to change by Opening Day.
- Wade Davis – $8 million
- Joakim Soria – $7 million
- Luke Hochevar – $5.5 million
- Danny Duffy – $4.225 million
- Kelvin Herrera – $2.55 million
- Tim Collins – $1.475 million
These are the six pitchers on the roster as of now. The bullpen will have a seventh member for sure, maybe David Huff – $1.1 million), or someone not on the roster yet. As it stands, the bullpen is soaking up $28,750,000, just with these six.
This unit could be earning $30 million by the time the team breaks camp. That is an incredible number for a bullpen. As good as some of these pitchers are, and how effective the Royals have used the pen in the last two seasons, one has to wonder if cheaper options might have been available.
Even if Duffy replaces Young or Medlen in the rotation, this number will remain about the same. It might even go up, depending on which pitcher slides back to the pen. That is a lot of money to spend on a bunch of relief pitchers. It will be hard to live up to expectations and past performances.
If things don’t go right for the Royals in 2016, this unit should be the first to be dismantled.
Next: Dead Money and Minor League Signings