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Royals decline options for Alex Rios, Jeremy Guthrie

The Kansas City Royals have declined the option on the contracts of rightfielder Alex Rios and pitcher Jeremy Guthrie. 
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The Kansas City Royals have declined the option on the contracts of rightfielder Alex Rios and pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, the team announced Wednesday.

Rios was slated to earn $12.5 million in 2016, the option year on a one-year $9.5 million contract he signed last December. 

Guthrie was in the last year of his three-year, $25 million contract that includes a $3.2 million buyout.

Rios played in 105 games this season, batting .255 with four home runs and 32 RBIs. The 12-year veteran had his best season with the Chicago White Sox in 2012, hitting .304 with 25 home runs and 91 RBIs.

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Guthrie had an 8–8 record in 24 starts, posting a 5.95 ERA.

A number of important pieces from the team's World Series win this season became free agents on Tuesday, including pitchers Johnny Cueto and Chris Young, and second baseman Ben Zobrist.

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