Royals decline mutual options on Jeremy Guthrie and Alex Rios

Confetti still litters the streets of Kansas City a day after a historic, euphoric parade to celebrate the World Series championship of the Royals. But already the organization has shifted toward the business of 2016, declining mutual options on pitcher Jeremy Guthrie and outfielder Alex Rios, sending both into free agency.

Neither decision comes for free. The Royals owe Guthrie $3.2 million for the buyout; the club owes Rios $1.5 million.

Other contractual situations should be clarified later this week. Alex Gordon declined his $14 million player option and elected free agency on Wednesday night. The Royals are expected to exercise team options on players like Wade Davis and Alcides Escobar.

The Royals paid $11 million for one year of Rios’ services. He never found traction during the regular season, in part due to a pair of freak injuries. In April, his hand was broken by a wayward fastball. In August, he came down with the chickenpox.

Rios, 34, finished the regular season with a mere .640 on-base plus slugging percentage. But playing in his first postseason, he recorded a number of big hits and batted .271. Rios collected the first hit in the Game 4 rally against the Astros in the ALDS, then added the go-ahead double in Game 5.

Guthrie, 36, revived his career after joining the Royals midway through 2012. During his first two full seasons, he went 28-23 with a 4.08 ERA. His ERA ballooned to 5.95 in 2015. Guthrie lost his spot in the starting rotation and did not appear on the Royals postseason roster.

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 10:49 AM with the headline "Royals decline mutual options on Jeremy Guthrie and Alex Rios."