Royals sign Maxwell, avoid arbitration with three others
By Jeff Adcox
The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with outfielder Justin Maxwell for the 2014 season, avoiding arbitration. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Maxwell, 30, came to the Royals on July 31 last season in a non-waiver deadline deal with the Houston Astros. In 35 games with Kansas City, Maxwell hit .268 with five homers and 17 RBI, including a .313 average (15-for-48) and a .646 slugging percentage at Kauffman Stadium. In Kansas City’s home finale, Maxwell delivered a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th to beat the Texas Rangers, 4-0, on September 22.
The Royals also announced that three arbitration-eligible players had also agreed to 2014 contracts, including first baseman Eric Hosmer, pitcher Luke Hochevar and utility man Emilio Bonifacio.
Hosmer was the Royals’ Player of the Year in 2013. He went from last year’s $528,250 salary to a $3.6 million deal in 2014.
Hochevar signed for $5.2 million plus performance bonuses. He earned $4.56 million last year.
Bonifacio, obtained from the Toronto Blue Jays to play second base last season, signed a $3.5 million. His 2013 salary was $2.6 million.
Hosmer and Bonifacio can earn an additional $50,000 by making the All-Star team.
These signings leave the Royals with two unsigned arbitration-eligible players, right-handed pitchers Aaron Crow and Greg Holland.