Holland, 29, has made the American League All-Star team the last two seasons. He had 46 saves and was 1-3 with a 1.44 ERA for the AL champions, striking out 90 and walking 20 in 62 1/3 innings. Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Royals and right-handed closer Greg Holland avoided salary arbitration Friday when they agreed to an $8.25 million, one-year contract.
Holland made $4.725 million last year and had asked for $9 million when the sides exchanged proposed arbitration salaries last month. The Royals had offered $6.65 million. He is eligible for free agency after the 2016 season.
Holland, 29, has made the American League All-Star team the last two seasons. He had 46 saves and was 1-3 with a 1.44 ERA for the AL champions, striking out 90 and walking 20 in 62 1/3 innings. He had seven more saves and a 0.82 ERA in the postseason.
The Royals also avoided arbitration with right-hander Kelvin Herrera in 2015 and 2016, reaching agreement on a two-year, $4.15 million contract Thursday night.
