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Royals, Moustakas avoid arbitration with 2-year deal

Peter G. Aiken / USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals continue to reward the key contributors to their 2015 World Series title.

Third baseman Mike Moustakas and the club avoided arbitration on Thursday after agreeing to a two-year deal, reportedly worth $14.3 million, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

It's believed the deal will pay Moustakas $5.6 million this season and $8.7 million in 2017. The two-year deal buys out his remaining arbitration years.

The two sides were well apart when they exchanged arbitration figures earlier in January. The 27-year-old asked for $7 million, while the team countered with $4.2 million.

An All-Star for the first time in his five-year career, Moustakas had a strong bounce-back season in 2015. He hit a career high .284/.348/.470 with 22 home runs, 34 doubles, and 82 RBIs in 147 games.

The Royals were able to bring Alex Gordon back on a four-year deal this winter while also agreeing to a two-year deal with Lorenzo Cain, keeping their core intact through the next two seasons.

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