Royals, Herrera agree to 1-year deal, avoid arbitration

KANSAS CITY -- New closer Kelvin Herrera and the Royals avoided arbitration on Friday when Herrera agreed to a one-year deal.
A source indicated the deal was for $5.325 million, with a $50,000 bonus if Herrera makes the All-Star Game presented by MasterCard.
Herrera was the last of the Royals' potential arbitration cases.
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Since general manager Dayton Moore took over in 2006, no Royals player has gone to arbitration.
Herrera replaces Wade Davis as Kansas City's closer after Davis was traded to the Cubs at the Winter Meetings. Herrera filled in as closer at times last year when Davis was injured and posted a career-high 12 saves to go along with a 2.75 ERA in 72 appearances.
Herrera, 27, was second in the American League in strikeout-to-walk ratio (7.17), and he was tied for fourth in holds with 26.
Since 2014, Herrera's 2.30 ERA ranks seventh among AL relievers, and his 209 strikeouts rank eighth.