A's GM: Billy Butler will play first base and DH

The Oakland Athletics officially announced the signing of Billy Butler to a three-year, $30-million contract Wednesday and general manager Billy Beane spoke about how they plan to use him next season.

Beane revealed the team was very aggressive in its pursuit of the 28-year-old and that contract negotiations moved rapidly.

Butler is coming off one of his worst offensive campaigns since breaking into the bigs in 2007 - .271 average, nine home runs, 66 RBIs - but Beane said his inconsistent season was the very reason the low-budget A's had a chance to sign him.

Butler also said his representatives allowed his former club, the Kansas City Royals, an opportunity to match the offer.

"We gave them a chance,” Butler told the Kansas City Star. "We let the Royals know."