SB Nation Kansas City - Billy Butler Gets Four Year, $30 Million Contract From Kansas City Royalshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2011-01-23T10:48:00-06:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17140872011-01-23T10:48:00-06:002011-01-23T10:48:00-06:00Deal Details Are Great For Royals
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<p>The Kansas City Royals have now committed to Billy Butler, and Butler will undoubtedly be committed to being the new face of the Kansas City Royals over the next few years. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star <a href="http://twitter.com/Royals_Report/status/29044108534222849" target="_blank">tweeted</a> the details of Butler's new contract which will pay him $3 million this season, $8 million over the next three seasons and ending with a club option of $12.5 million in 2015, a season in which he will be still just 29 years old. There is also a $2 million signing bonus included.</p>
<p>The contract really works out well for Kansas City as they are locking up Butler during his prime years as a ball player. With Butler's high .OPS and all the offense the minor league system contains, Butler will have the opportunity to put up some fantastic numbers during this contract. In 2010 the Royals first basemen put up a WAR of 3.5 and was valued as a $15.8 million player according to <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=7399&position=1B/DH" target="_blank">Fangraphs</a>, and keep in mind those numbers should continue to rise.</p>
<p>So as you can see the Royals seemingly came out great in this deal, locking up a rising star player who will be looked to lead the wave of young talent on the way. The price made sense for the Royals financially too. Last month I took a look at Billy Butler having to become the <a href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-royals/2010/12/20/1888417/butler-looks-to-take-on-leadership-role" target="_blank">leader</a> of the new look Royals and this certainly cements this happening for the foreseeable future.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-royals/2011/1/23/1951475/deal-details-are-great-for-royalsMatthew Hays2011-01-22T11:00:06-06:002011-01-22T11:00:06-06:00Billy Butler On Contract From Royals: 'It Worked Out For Both Sides'
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<p>The Kansas City Royals and first baseman Billy Butler agreed to a four-year, $30 million contract that will keep him in Kansas City through 2014. Butler, <a href="http://kaegel.mlblogs.com/archives/2011/01/now_royals_have_billy_through.html">speaking to MLB.com's Dick Kaegel,</a> said he wants to be in Kansas City.</p>
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<p>"I just get to worry about playing baseball and it's what's best for me and my family," Butler said. "That's what it's all about. I didn't want to have to worry about going to arbitration every year and this where I want to be. The city's great and we love it here. I can't express how happy we are right now."</p>
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<p>Not many players who have played on teams as bad as the ones Butler has been on are happy to be there. But the Royals have the best farm system right now and the next few years are expected to be very interesting in Kansas City.</p>
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<p>"It worked out for both sides," Butler said. "I've always been happy to be a Royal. We have a lot of young guys coming up and we plan on doing great things. It just means I'm a big part of it."</p>
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<p><span style="line-height: 16px;">Indeed Butler is a big part of it. He will not go the way of Zack Greinke -- at least not yet -- meaning he has a chance to find out what's going to happen to all this young talent in the minor leagues.</span></p>
<p>Check out <a href="http://www.royalsreview.com" target="_blank">Royals Review</a> for more on the news. </p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-royals/2011/1/22/1950069/billy-butler-contract-extension-royalsJoel Thorman2011-01-22T10:52:41-06:002011-01-22T10:52:41-06:00Billy Butler Gets Four Year, $30 Million Contract From Kansas City Royals
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> own Major League Baseball's best farm system and now they've ensured at least one of their young talents will be there to see it mature. <a href="http://kaegel.mlblogs.com/archives/2011/01/now_royals_have_billy_through.html">Dick Kaegel of MLB.com</a> reports the Royals gave Butler a four-year, $30 million contract.</p>
<p>Butler had filed for $4.3 million in arbitration and the Royals countered with $3.4 million but that doesn't matter now that three years of his arbitration eligible years and one year of free agency have been bought out.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/01/royals-butler-agree-to-long-term-contract.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">As MLB Trade Rumors points out</a>, Butler is clearly one of the league's best young hitters.</p>
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Butler, 25 in April, has hit .309/.375/.480 with 36 homers over the last two seasons. Just 28 players boast an OPS that high during that time (min. 1,000 PA), but <strong><span>Evan Longoria</span></strong>, <strong><span>Carlos Gonzalez</span></strong>, <strong><span>Ryan Zimmerman</span></strong>, <strong><span>Troy Tulowitzki</span></strong>, and Butler are the only ones to do so at age 25 or younger. Clearly, the Royals' first baseman has emerged as one of the game's most dangerous young hitters. </p>
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<p>And now they've got him for four more years. </p>
<p>With <span>Gil Meche</span>'s retirement, the Royals had an extra $12.4 million to deal with which takes some of the financial pressure off of this deal.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="http://www.royalsreview.com" target="_blank">Royals Review</a> for more on the news.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2011/1/22/2328469/billy-butler-gets-four-year-30-million-contract-from-kansas-cityJoel Thorman