On Tuesday the Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles avoided arbitration with two key contributors from their successful 2014 campaigns.
Defensive juggernaut Lorenzo Cain settled on a one-year, $2.725 million deal with the Royals for the 2015 season, according to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com. Cain filed for a $3.6 million salary in his first year of arbitration eligibility and the Royals countered at $2 million, but the two sides ultimately agreed to the settlement on Tuesday.
In his fourth season with the Royals, the 28-year-old Cain slashed .301/.339/.412 with 55 runs scored, five home runs, 53 RBIs and 28 stolen bases in 133 games. He notched career-highs in a number of categories, including runs scored, RBIs, stolen bases, games played, plate appearances (502), hits (142), extra base hits (38), total bases (194) and OPS+ (108).
He also had a dominant postseason, during which he slashed .333/.388/.417 with 13 runs scored, eight RBIs and two stolen bases in 15 games and also was named the MVP of the ALCS against the Baltimore Orioles. Cain boasted a .991 fielding percentage during the regular season in 133 games between center field and right field and saved a lot of runs for Kansas City during their unlikely playoff run.
As for the Royals' opponent in the ALCS, the Baltimore Orioles avoided arbitration with starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez after the two sides settled on a one-year, $3.275 million deal, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The 30-year-old Mexican filed for a $3.95 million salary in his first year of arbitration eligibility and the O's countered with $2.5 million, but they agreed to settle on Tuesday.
In his third MLB season, Gonzalez perhaps had the best campaign of his career after posting a 10-9 record with a 3.23 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 27 games (26 starts). He made one start in the postseason against the Kansas City Royals, but the offense couldn't help him out after he threw 5 2/3 innings and gave up four hits and two runs (one earned).
The right-hander is listed as the No. 3 starter on the team's depth chart heading into the 2015 season and based on his gradual improvement he should have a solid campaign in his fourth year.
