The Royals have announced that they’ve declined their option on 1B/DH Billy Butler. They will pay Butler a $1MM buyout, and he is now a free agent. Butler, a 2004 first round pick who has spent his entire career with the organization, would like to work out a deal to stay with the Royals, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star tweets. McCullough also notes that the Royals are interested in bringing Butler back, but at a lesser salary.
The Royals’ decision was expected. Butler’s option was for $12.5MM, a big expenditure for a small-payroll team, particularly given that his .271/.323/.379 line in 603 plate appearances this season represented his worst offensive season since 2008.
I hope they can come to an agreement. Butler belongs in KC.
I think Butler is a Royal too…I just hope the $ doesn’t preclude them from another right power bat.
Gotta think he stays in KC since it’s the best fit. Can’t invision many teams having interest since he’s a pure DH, maybe the Mariners or White Sox.
The White Sox have Jose Abreu and Andy Wilkins at first base/designated hitter next year. There is no need for Butler there.
Wilkins will not be on the team.
Even if Wilkins starts the year in Triple-A (which seems likely), he won’t be there for long should the White Sox not acquire Victor Martinez, who is the real DH target there.
Hope he stays in Kansas City.
Are there any theories as to where Butler’s power went? He posted his lowest ISO by far last season at just .107. The Mariners have been rumored to be after him for some time, but after last season I’m not sure I want them to take the risk.
I think the better question is to ask where his power outlier came from. He’s never truly been a power hitter. I think people see the body size and those doubles rakes…and they see some power as a sure thing. But, clearly, something has happened… Because his offensive game across the board has suffered
White sox should not go after him. Sox need a left handed power bat
Hes right handed
I know he is right handed that’s why I said “sox should NOT go after him. Sox need left handed bat.” Go correct post that need correcting.
I think he’s saying the Sox should go after a left-handed power bat and NOT a right-handed, used-to-be-powerful bat.
Butler doesn’t even classify as a power bat anymore.
Exactly….
Count me as interested for the Orioles to sign hm.
They could give Billy Butler a chance to play first base on a regular basis.
Something the Royals can’t really do.
I don’t care if he’s a home-run threat or not, he’s a good hitter.
However, maybe he’s happy in KC. However, now that he is a free agent, maybe a team will give him a chance to show that he can indeed play 1st base and still hit at a decent average. I would be all for it!
O’s sign Jed Lowrie as well as a Zobrist like player and they might onto something!
Why would Lowrie sign to play a Zobrist role when teams like the Yankees are desperate for SS help?
If you read it right he said to sign Lowrie AND a Zobrist-type player
Butler would absolutely rake in Baltimore. Has all his career. If he doesn’t stay in KC then Baltimore is best for him. And he isn’t a good defensive first baseman but not as bad as some make him out to be.
An excellent point.
The only good stretch Butler had hitting in 2014 was when Hosmer was out injured. When Hosmer got back Butler went back to DH and stopped hitting. And the thing is – while he’s not (gold glove) Hosmer at 1B, he’s and above average ML 1B.
What happened to this guy? Is he playing through injury?
It’s a good question. For one, he hits a lot of ground balls (like almost 50%) and he isn’t fast enough to run them out for hits. The “power” he did have resulted in doubles and not homeruns, so maybe he needs a smaller ballpark? It is possible that like many players he doesn’t do well in a DH role. His decline (2011-now) does seem to coincide with the expanded play of Hosmer at 1st. And, of course, there is always the thing-that-would-not-be-named about any player who suddenly loses power, that maybe he was getting *enhanced* help. Personally, I think it may be the whole curse of Robinson Cano brought on by Royals fans booing Cano at the 2012 All-Star game.
Cano deserved that booing. The home run contest is an exhibition. Throw a bone to the city hosting the game. Cano took an 0 fer in the contest. It was hilarious and most of all, poetic justice.
I really don’t think butler was juiced… He’s never truly been a power hitter. I’d consider the power he showed 3-4 seasons ago as a complete outlier.
I don’t really think it is PEDs either. I was just throwing out all the answers I could think of. There is also the old standby that pitchers have “figured him out” as well.
He had that 29_jack season a few years ago…but outside that he’s 15-20 basically. The obp is troubling… But he was .374 as recently as 2013. There’s some rebound potential…but there’s not margin for low obp when its not bolstered by power…out of the dh slot as well…so he’s adding nil defensive value.
This is the reason why myself and so many KC fans love Billy Butler. Yes he had a down year but he could command a good contract with another team but he loves KC and is willing to take a lower deal in order to stay with the team he loves. He just needs to dedicate himself this winter to adding some muscle while losing some fat and increasing his speed. He is a Royal through and through and his loyalty and passion for Royals baseball makes my heart smile!!!
I have never heard that he is willing to take a lower deal. I’ve only heard that he’s willing to come back. I highly doubt he will leave money on the table to stay in KC.
Yes he knows he has to take less money to stay with the Royals and has stated that in many conversations. But it’s where he wants to be.
He’ll have to take less money…cause there’s nothing in his stats the past few seasons to indicate paying him. They could actually use another righty power bat.
He never said he’s willing to take less money to stay in KC. He said he’d like to stay in KC, but family comes first. If he gets offered more elsewhere he could very well go.
I’d love to see the Astros get him on a one year, rebuild value deal as insurance for Singleton
Long shot here… Maybe the O’s and Royals can restructure a deal for Butler and Markakis and then swap them for each other. Win win.
Royals need some righty thump though.
Maybe they can pursue someone like Cuddyer.
It’s either going to be KC or Sea. He obviously isn’t going to get a big deal with the down season he had. He’ll take a smaller 1 year deal to show he still has it.