Rumors: Billy Butler May Have An Offer From The Baltimore Orioles
By Joel Wagler
Billy Butler may have an offer from the Baltimore Orioles. If this Royals rumor turns out to be true, the long time designated hitter for the Kansas City Royals will certainly be moving on soon.
According to Jeffrey Flanagan of Fox Sports Kansas City, the Orioles have made a strong offer to Butler.
Interesting and logical: A source told http://t.co/i2sSQu3TCA that Billy Butler has been offered 3-year, $30 million deal, likely by Orioles
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) November 11, 2014
The Royals declined Butler’s 2015 option for $12.5 million after the World Series. His stats have been trending downward since his career year in 2012. He hit a career low .271 in 2014 with only nine home runs. That was the fewest home runs Butler produced since hitting eight in his rookie season in 2007, in just 92 games.
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Butler looked to have become what Royals fans always wanted him to be in 2012. He hit .313, with an OPS of .882 that season, plus he slammed 29 dingers with 107 runs batted in.
That wrapped up a three-year stretch in which Butler hit .307, averaged 21 home runs and 93 runs batted in. Butler began his slide in 2013 when he hit .289 with just 15 homers.
Butler has always been a favorite in Kansas City, carrying a great nickname – “Country Breakfast”. He even had his own BBQ sauce locally, and he endeared fans with a down to earth, self-deprecating personality.
His severe ground ball tendencies were not helpful with his total lack of speed. He led the majors in Grounded Into Double Plays twice, and finished with 20 or more six times. According to Fangraphs.com, Butler’s career Ground Ball Rate is 48.3% – way too high for a hitter depended on to drive the ball , and be a run producer.
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It appears as if Butler will end his career with a .295 average as a Kansas City Royals, with 127 home runs, 276 doubles, 628 RBI, and 502 runs scored. A team like the Royals just cannot afford to take a chance by spending big money on Billy Butler in hopes he returns to his 2012 form.
Baltimore seems like a good fit for Billy Butler. In Camden Yard, he has hit .318, with six homers and six doubles in 26 games.
Billy Butler will be missed in Kansas City, and the Royals may regret letting him go, but at this point, they can probably find better ways to spend their money.
Stay tuned for more Royals rumors in this Hot Stove season.