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Kansas City Royals Expected To Decline Billy Butler

By Cameron La Fontaine

Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Billy Butler (16) hits an RBI single against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Billy Butler (16) hits an RBI single against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Kansas City Royals just lost the world series to the San Fransisco and are expected to decline Billy Butler’s $12 million contract option.

According to CBS’ Jon Heyman, the Kansas City Royals, who literally lost the World Series to the San Fransisco Giants yesterday, are expected to decline Billy Butler’s $12 million contract option and may be pursuing a big name.

Heyman said in his tweet that with Nori Aoki as a free agent, the Royals may try and pursue Detroit Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter, who recently decided he would like to play another year in the MLB, but said he would want to play it with the Detroit Tigers.

Billy Butler has been with the Royals for eight years, the longest-tenured Royal, and he was drafted by the team in 2004. He’s only hit .280 with a .396 slugging percentage and .746 OPS in 313 games since 2013 without a baserunning or defensive value.

Billy Butler said that while they will decline his option, he still wants to stay with Kansas City.

“Even if they decline it, you can still talk,” Butler said. “Nothing’s been said. I haven’t been told anything, nor should I. We were focused on the World Series. I bleed Royal blue, and I’m a proven major league player. If it’s not here, it’s somewhere else, but I’d rather it just be here. It’s just the way it is. We’re small market and business is business, but I feel like it’s a little bit more than that here.”

But do the Kansas City Royals want Butler? He’s only had more than 20 home runs once in his last five seasons with a slugging percentage below .450. In 2012, Butler hit .313 with 29 homers and an .882 OPS. There’s a chance the Kansas City Royals still pursue Butler for a lesser deal. But, they may use that money to seek more power at the right field or DH position.

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