First baseman Eric Hosmer and the Kansas City Royals avoided arbitration Wednesday by agreeing to a $13.9 million, two-year contract less than 24 hours before their hearing. Hosmer gets $5.65 million this season and $8.25 million next season, and will be eligible for arbitration again in 2017. The 25-year-old Hosmer hit .270 with 35 doubles but just nine home runs, though he did win his second straight Gold Glove. It appeared that he was leaning on his defensive prowess to help him land the $6.7 million he requested in an arbitration hearing, rather than the $4.6 million that the club had offered. More...