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The Kansas City Royals came to an agreement with starting pitcher Brian Bannister, signing him to a one year contract worth $1,737,500 to avoid arbitration with the third year pitcher.

They basically agreed to split their offers right down the middle with Bannister wanting just over two million and the Royals offering $1.45 million.  There will also be bonuses for pitching over 200 innings and making the all-star team.

Bannister gets a pretty good deal for someone who went 9-16 with a 5.76 ERA.  The one positive is that Bannister is reliable.  He made all 32 starts last year.  The Royals are banking on Bannister returning to his rookie form in 2007 when he went 12-9 with a 3.87 ERA and finished third in rookie of the year voting.

Royals’ GM Dayton Moore has two cases left;  First basemen Mike Jacobs and outfielder Mark Teahen.  Moore has never had case go to arbitration in his three years with Kansas City.