Royals Sign Tim Collins & Louis Coleman, Avoiding Arbitration

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Royals announced that they have signed Louis Coleman and Tim Collins to one-year contracts for 2015. According to Andy McCullough, Coleman will receive $725K, while Collins will get $1.475 million.

Collins’ contract is just $25,000 lower than what MLB Trade Rumors had projected it would be ($1.5M), while Coleman is getting $25,000 more than expected. Both players are receiving raises from last year, as Collins made $1,362,500 in his first year of arbitration eligibility, while Coleman made $537,000 last year, and is a Super Two player this year.

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Neither pitcher was particularly effective for the big league club in 2014, but both have had enough success in the past to expect something of a bounce back. Collins battled injuries and poor command all year, and his 3.86 ERA didn’t look great for a reliever. Coleman had a 5.56 ERA in 34 innings, largely due to 6 dingers and 18 walks surrendered.

Considering how crowded the Royals’ bullpen already is, neither player is a lock to break camp with the team, although Collins likely has a leg up (despite his stature) considering he’s the best lefty they have available, with the exception of Brandon Finnegan, who should start the season in the minors as a starter. Greg Holland, Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera, and Jason Frasor will definitely be in that pen. If Luke Hochevar is fully healthy, he’ll be there. The Royals also have Rule 5 pick Jandel Gustave, Yohan Pino, Ryan Madson, and a whole host of other pitchers at their disposal, so Coleman may be in a battle for that big league spot.

With those two players signed, the Royals now have 7 arbitration-eligible players remaining, and here are those players, along with the projected salaries from MLB Trade Rumors:

Greg Holland – $9.3M
Eric Hosmer – $5.2M
Mike Moustakas – $2.7M
Danny Duffy – $2.6M
Lorenzo Cain – $2.3M
Kelvin Herrera – $1.5M
Jarrod Dyson – $1.3M

Today is the day when teams and players exchange figures, and if they do not reach a deal by the end of the month, the two sides will head to arbitration. As I’m sure you know by now, Dayton Moore has never gone to arbitration as the Royals’ general manager, and considering how easily that process can lead to animosity, I’m guessing he’d like to keep his perfect record intact.