The Kansas City Royals have signed right-handed pitcher Brian Bannister to a one-year contract for 2009, avoiding arbitration. Consistent with club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed. Bannister, 27, made 32 starts for Kansas City in 2008, going 9-16 with a 5.76 ERA. The 2007 Joe Burke Special Achievement Award winner was 12-9 with a 3.87 ERA in 27 starts in his first season for the Royals, finishing third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.