Affeldt will earn $950,000 US next season – $600,000 more than he made in 2004. The left-hander was asking for $1.2 million.
Affeldt, 24, had a 3-4 record, 4.95 earned-run average and 13 saves over 38 games last season. He is expected to be Kansas City's closer in 2005.
It was the first arbitration case this off-season to side in favour of the owners.
Kansas City Royals pitcher Jeremy Affeldt lost his arbitration case on Saturday. (CP File Photo)
Minnesota Twins pitcher Kyle Lohse won the first arbitration case this winter when he was awarded $2.4 million instead of the club offered $2.15 million.
There remains six more arbitration hearings scheduled this off-season. The highest profile case is that of 2004 American League Cy Young winner Johan Santana of the Twins.
