Royals agree with Mondesi, O’Hearn to avoid arbitration

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas Metropolis Royals have agreed to a $3 million contract with shortstop Adalberto Mondesi and a $1.3 million cope with first baseman Ryan O’Hearn for the upcoming season, avoiding arbitration with each gamers earlier than Tuesday’s deadline for groups and gamers to submit numbers

The 26-year-old Mondesi has been dynamic when he’s been wholesome, main the league with 24 stolen bases in the course of the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. However he has solely performed greater than 100 video games as soon as in six seasons, and he hit simply .230 with six homers and 15 steals whereas restricted to 35 video games by accidents final season.

Mondesi, who made $2.52 million final yr and is eligible without spending a dime company after the 2023 season, spent a lot of this previous offseason working with new trainers within the Dominican Republic in an effort to remain wholesome. The culprits final season had been his obliques and hamstring, however he’s additionally had quad and shoulder accidents through the years.

“I modified plenty of issues, completely different coach — simply targeted on the issues I have to give attention to and I really feel good proper now and see what’s going to occur,” Mondesi stated in the course of the first week of spring coaching in Shock, Arizona.

“We began with my physique,” he defined, “seeing what’s going to work for me or not and go from there. They ask how I really feel, what I really feel and I simply let him know, and we make a program and comply with that.”

Mondesi additionally has performed second base and third base throughout his profession, and his transfer to 3rd may change into a everlasting one if the Royals break camp with prime prospect Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop. Witt additionally has performed third base within the minors, however it’s seemingly the Royals would attempt to maintain him at his most snug place as he begins his massive league profession.

Collectively, Mondesi and Witt may give Kansas Metropolis probably the greatest left sides of the infield within the American League.

“No matter they need me to do, I’m OK. I simply wish to play and I wish to really feel good and assist the workforce win,” Mondesi stated.

The 28-year-old O’Hearn obtained a big bump from the $570,500 he made final season, though he hit simply .225 with 9 homers and 29 RBIs in 84 video games. He’s a profession .215 hitter in 275 video games over elements of 4 seasons.

The Royals nonetheless have six arbitration-eligible gamers left to signal: outfielder Andrew Benintendi, second baseman Nicky Lopez, starter Brad Keller, reliever Scott Barlow, just lately acquired pitcher Amir Garrett and backup catcher Cam Gallagher.

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