The Royals face an uncertain off-season with Dayton Moore keeping all options open, whether it be re-signing some core players or doing a complete rebuild. While he won’t have as many decisions to make on arbitration-eligible players as last season, he may have some tougher calls.
The Royals have just four players eligible for arbitration this winter - Kelvin Herrera, Brandon Maurer, Nate Karns, and Mike Morin. Players are eligible for arbitration if they have at least three years service time (as well as special “Super-Two” players) that are not yet eligible for free agency. Clubs can tender arbitration-eligible players a contract and go through the arbitration process - which may include the salary determined by an arbitration judge - or they can non-tender a player, effectively releasing them.