Royals Agree to Terms with Brayan Pena, Chris Getz

It’s that time of year when arbitration starts to creep up. Teams and players will exchange arbitration figures up to January 18. Any time up to that point and until actual arbitration hearings, both sides can come to an agreement for next season’s salary. It’s often at this time where a lot of contract extensions pop up. Alex Gordon is a popular candidate to receive one such January extension.

In the case of both Brayan Pena and Chris Getz, the Royals agreed to one-year deals with both bench players.

Pena’s contract will be worth $875,000. He’ll back up Salvador Perez.

Rustin Dodd’s report from the Kansas City Star suggests that he may meet competition from Manuel Pina in spring training, but it’s so rare for teams to carry two rookie catches that it’s unlikely. The Royals project to have a thin bench this year and carrying three backstops would be a poor use of roster space. If there’s an injury to either major league catcher, Pina’s time may come, or Max Ramirez may get the spot.

Pena has a career .652 OPS and a .671 OPS as a Royal since joining the organization in 2008.

Chris Getz will earn $967,500 in 2012 after agreeing to a deal today as well.

Getz lost his everyday second base job last year when Johnny Giavotella was promoted from Omaha. With the Royals signings of Yuniesky Betancourt and Kevin Kouzmanoff to deals this offseason, Getz will have competition to retain his spot on the Royals bench. Since being acquired before 2010 for Mark Teahen, Getz has a .592 OPS but has provided reasonable defense and base-stealing for the Royals. He’s nothing more than a backup at this stage. If he doesn’t make the team, he does have options left, so he could see time in Omaha.

The Royals have five more players to come to terms with who are arbitration eligible: Felipe Paulino, Jonathan Sanchez, Luke Hochevar, Mitch Maier and Gordon.

It’s worth noting that Dayton Moore has never gone to an arbitration hearing since becoming GM of the Royals. Expect everyone to have a deal in place by the end of the month.

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