Report: A's, Billy Butler agree to three-year, $30 million deal
The Oakland Athletics and free agent designated hitter/first baseman Billy Butler have agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal, reports Buster Olney of ESPN. Robert Murray of MLB Daily Rumors first reported the deal.
Murray reports that the deal comes with a $5 million signing bonus. According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the deal will be official once Butler passes a physical.
The Kansas City Royalsdeclined their $12 million option for 2015 on Butler on Nov. 1, for which he received a $1 million buyout. Butler had played his entire eight-year career with the Royals.
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The 28-year-old had a .271 average with nine home runs and 66 RBI in 2014 for Kansas City. He was named an All-Star in 2012 and hit .313 with 29 home runs and 107 RBI that year.
In the 2014 playoffs, Butler hit .262 with 11 hits, three doubles and eight RBI in 13 games.
- Molly Geary
