Royals, James McArthur Reach Settlement, Avoid Arbitration
The Kansas City Royals have successfully finalized a contract extension with right-handed pitcher James McArthur for the 2026 season. This agreement ensures the team avoids arbitration, with McArthur set to earn $810,000 next season, as reported by Anne Rogers of MLB.com.
James McArthur’s Career Overview
McArthur, who will turn 29 next month, made his debut with the Royals in 2023. During his first season, he pitched a total of 23 1/3 innings with a 4.63 earned run average (ERA). Despite this, he showcased impressive metrics:
- Strikeout rate: 25.6%
- Walk rate: 2.2%
- Ground ball rate: 58.7%
His ERA was somewhat inflated by a low 54.5% strand rate, as indicated by a more favorable Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) of 2.78 and a Skill-Interactive ERA (SIERA) of 2.65. This early promise earned McArthur some opportunities as the closer in Kansas City at the start of the 2024 season.
Challenges in 2024
In 2024, McArthur pitched 56 2/3 innings but struggled with a 4.92 ERA. His performance metrics took a hit:
- Strikeout rate fell to 19.8%
- Walk rate increased to 5.7%
- Ground ball rate dropped to 53.3%
His season was further complicated when he landed on the injured list in September due to an elbow sprain. Following the season, he underwent surgery on his right elbow to repair a fractured olecranon, during which two screws were inserted.
Recovery and Future Prospects
In July, it was reported that McArthur was not responding well to the screws, leading to their removal. Consequently, he did not participate in any official game action during the 2025 season, but he managed to accumulate two years and 150 days of service time, surpassing the Super Two cutoff, which qualifies him for arbitration.
MLB Trade Rumors contributor Matt Swartz estimated McArthur’s salary for this year at $800,000, just slightly above the league minimum of $780,000. Given his lengthy absence from the field, there were concerns about the Royals potentially non-tendering him. However, with the non-tender deadline approaching, the team chose to retain him in hopes of a healthier season ahead.
Looking Forward
The Royals’ decision to retain McArthur is a testament to their belief in his potential recovery and future contributions to the team. As he prepares for the upcoming season, McArthur still has an option, allowing the Royals flexibility regarding his placement on the roster.
