KC payroll to exceed last season’s record

KANSAS CITY — Royals general manager Dayton Moore has talked often this offseason about the rising costs of doing business in Major League Baseball.

All one has to do is look at the Royals’ payroll situation heading into the 2017 season to confirm that.

• Hot Stove Tracker

The 2016 payroll set a franchise record, topping out through bonuses at nearly $140 million. And the core of the 2017 roster could make $41.62 million more next season through arbitration and contract raises.

Granted, some 2016 salaries are coming off the books, namely those of Edinson Volquez, Kendrys Morales, Luke Hochevar, Kris Medlen and Tim Collins, for a savings of almost $31 million. But there also are buyouts of those deals, and Omar Infante’s owed money ($8 million) that will cost $14 million.

Even with the loss of those players mentioned, Kansas City’s projected payroll will be even higher in 2017, possibly topping out in the $143 million-$145 million range. …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com