Athletics sign Billy Butler to 3-year, $30-million deal
Billy Butler is taking his bat to the West Coast.
The Oakland Athletics agreed to terms with the long-time Kansas City Royal, signing Butler to a three-year, $30-million contract.
The Royals declined Butler's $12.5-million team option for 2015 earlier this month, but general manager Dayton Moore had expressed interest in re-signing him for the right price. Oakland, in dire need of offense, apparently met his demands.
Butler suffered through the worst season of his career in 2014, hitting just nine home runs and slugging .379 in 151 games. The 28-year-old DH had a .298/.369/.462 slash line in his previous three seasons.
Butler's price tag makes him an unlikely platoon candidate, but his splits are more favorable to the weak side.
The eight-year veteran hit .255/.301/.352 against righties last season, creating 16 percent fewer runs than league average versus that side. Butler's value is mostly in his ability to hit left-handers extremely well. His 143 wRC+ versus southpaws since 2011 ranks 22nd among all major leaguers.
Despite Butler's lack of power making for a less-than-ideal fit in pitcher friendly Oakland Coliseum, the Athletics are clearly banking on his return to form to help improve an ailing offense.
Butler has long possessed gap-power potential, averaging 43 doubles and 21 homers a year between 2009-12. His ability to get on base also figures to aid Oakland's lineup after Butler posted an OBP above .360 in five of the last six seasons.
Bob Melvin's group sputtered down the stretch in 2014, struggling to the worst average in the AL and second-to-last OPS after the All-Star break.