Royals decline $12.5 million option on Billy Butler, but he’s not ready to leave
As the sting of losing a World Series Game 7 wears off, it’s back to business for Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore. On Saturday, that meant making the decision to decline the $12.5 million option on designated hitter Billy Butler, making the eight-year veteran a free agent for the first time in his career.
Butler, 28, was Kansas City’s first-round pick in 2004 and has been right in the middle of the organization’s slow build back to postseason and World Series contenders. It wouldn’t feel right if Butler were forced to move on now, just as Kansas City seemingly established itself at that level again, but that’s the reality the team and Butler could face in the coming weeks.
It’s similar to the San Francisco Giants and Pablo Sandoval’s impending free agency. You can’t imagine the two sides parting so soon after such a feel-good run, but that’s how the business of baseball works. Of course, that doesn’t mean either player will move on, but there’s only so much financial flexibility, especially in the Royals situation.
As Andy McCullough of Kansas City Star writes, both sides understand what lies ahead, but would obviously prefer to continue the relationship.
“Hopefully the numbers work out,” Butler said. “Hopefully another team doesn’t come in and blow me out of the water with an offer. I guess that’s the spirit of them declining it, and other teams being in play. But I’m definitely a Royal at heart.”
Butler addressed reporters on a conference call arranged by the Royals, a relative rarity for a player approaching free agency. Both he and Moore characterized their conversations as encouraging. Moore told The Star the team would like to retain Butler, but it would have to be at a “more manageable” number than his proposed 2015 salary.
“We’re going to stay engaged,” Moore said in a telephone conversation on Saturday. “We’ve got to look for the opportunity to bring Billy back as part of our team. But not at one year, $12 million, obviously.”
In addition to a slow offensive season, Butler’s defensive limitations also work against him. He’s been relegated to mostly DH duties since 2010. When he does venture into the field, it’s as a first baseman. The team experimented with Butler in left field early in his career, but pulled the plug on that idea in 2008. If necessary, Butler still feels like he could handle first base full-time if needed.
The Royals probably don’t agree. Butler played in only 37 games at first base during the 2014 regular season, making two errors. During the postseason, he didn’t make an appearance in the field. He was essentially a non-factor once the World Series moved to San Francisco, appearing only as a pinch-hitter in Game 5.
Granted, Eric Hosmer’s terrific play was also a determining factor in Butler’s playing time, but that’s not going to change heading to 2015. The Royals would still only need Butler as a DH, so going beyond $8 million doesn’t make sense for them.
As for what makes sense for Butler, that will likely be determined by the market.
“There’s no ill will toward the organization,” Butler said. “It’s a business decision. You can’t take it personal in this business. I hope everything works out, and I can return. With a decision like this, there’s always an option out there that it might not happen.”
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
