Morales finalizes deal with Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Royals have finalized a $17 million, two-year deal with veteran slugger Kendrys Morales.

Morales gives the Royals a new designated hitter after Billy Butler agreed to a free agent deal with Oakland. Kansas City will hope last season was an aberration for Morales, who hit .218 with eight homers and 42 RBIs in 98 games with the Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners.

Two years ago, Morales hit .277 with 23 homers for Seattle.

The 31-year-old Morales will get $6.5 million next year and $9 million in 2016. The deal includes an $11 million mutual option for 2017 with a $1.5 million buyout.

Morales can make an additional $750,000 in performance bonuses in each of the first two seasons based on plate appearances.