The Kansas City Royals avoided arbitration with another group of eligible players on Tuesday, as they signed a trio of young pitchers to one-year contracts.

According to Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star, 2011's opening-day starter for the Royals Luke Hochevar signed to a deal that will bring him $3.51 million in the coming year. Jonathan Sanchez, who came to the Royals in the early offseason in a trade that sent Melky Cabrera to the San Francisco Giants, will make $5.6 million in 2012, with another $200,000 in assorted performance bonuses. PItcher Felipe Paulino will earn $1.9 million.

The deals will allow the Royals to free up a bit more money in the coming year, with the Sanchez deal being worth less than the deal that Cabrera signed with the Giants to avoid arbitration on Tuesday, which was reportedly worth $6 million.

Veteran outfielder Mitch Maier will also return in 2012, agreeing to a contract worth $865,000. Maier will earn an additional $10,000 if he makes at least 100 plate appearances.

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