The Royals announced Thursday that they have avoided salary arbitration with pitcher Jimmy Gobble, signing him to a one-year contract.

Two other players, outfielder Emil Brown and pitcher Todd Wellemeyer, are also eligible to file but the club is trying to sign them as well.

"We're working on it," said general manager Dayton Moore.

Gobble, believed to have signed for $712,500, spent his first full season with the Royals in 2006. A left-hander, he hit his stride in the bullpen and led the staff with 80 strikeouts in just 84 innings. He had the first two saves of his career and his ERA as a reliever was 4.68.

Including six starts, Gobble was 4-6 with a 5.14 ERA.

In the last game of the season, Gobble pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings at Detroit and worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the 11th inning. The Royals won, 10-8, in the 12th, keeping the Tigers from winning the American League Central title.

Brown had his second big year for the Royals, belting 15 homers with 81 RBIs and a .287 average. Wellemeyer, claimed off waivers from Florida on June 9, had a team-best 3.63 ERA and a 1-2 record in 28 outings.