Royals, Wellemeyer Avoid Arbitration

You probably heard that the Royals and Todd Wellemeyer avoided arbitration recently. They agreed to $635,000 for Wellemeyer’s 2007 salary. He said that he thought the Royals “got a bargain.”

He did put up impressive numbers last season after the Royals picked him up off waivers. He was 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA in 28 appearances—all in relief. And opponents only hit .185 against him when they had runners in scoring position. But the numbers weren’t all rosy for Wellemeyer. He walked 37 guys in 57 innings, uncorked 7 wild pitches, and had a 1.49 WHIP.

And if you look at the big picture, his career numbers are nowhere near what he did in Royal blue last season. He’s 6-7 with a 5.20 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. He’s also walked 111 guys in 162.2 innings. So, I’m not sure he’s a bargain—unless you compare him to some of the disastrous results the Royals have scene out of the pen in recent seasons. He might be a bargain then.