The Kansas City Royals declined designated hitter Billy Butler's $12.5 million team option for 2015 and now he reportedly has a three-year, $30 million offer on the table from an unknown team. The Baltimore Orioles are believed to be that team, according to MLB.com.
Although there's no proof it's the Orioles, it comes as no surprise because the team will be in need of a designated hitter if they lose Nelson Cruz via free agency on top of dealing with Chris Davis' recent struggles. Baltimore also expressed interest in Butler back in 2012 when they contacted the Royals about a potential trade. He would be a good fit in the Orioles' high-powered offense, but the team's general manager already chimed in about the rumor.
Dan Duquette, the Orioles GM, told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal that the offer for Butler is "Not true, not even close." NBC Sports' HardballTalk writes, "It's hard to imagine any team would make such a commitment to a player as limited as Butler." It's a fair assessment being that Butler has spent an overwhelming majority of his time at the designated hitter position since 2011, but the face that he at least has the ability to play first base part-time doesn't make the contract offer too excessive.
Butler has played in at least 151 games per season since 2009 and has solid career numbers, slashing .295/.359/.449 with 127 home runs and 628 RBIs in eight seasons. His numbers declined in 2014, but he's only 28 years old and has plenty of time ahead of him.
The speculated Orioles offer makes even more sense because it was also reported on Tuesday that outfielder Nelson Cruz rejected a three-year offer from Baltimore before he entered free agency. It was said Cruz wants four-year deal coming off his career-best season in which he led the MLB in home runs (40) and added 108 RBIs, but he's 34 years old and has some baggage. He was suspended last season for being involved with the Biogenesis Scandal, which is how the Orioles were able to sign him for just one-year and $8 million. The O's are waiting until after he speaks with other teams to re-engage in contract talks. But that's not all for the Orioles.
As they continue to work on an extension with outfielder Nick Markakis, the team is also reportedly looking to trade starter Ubaldo Jimenez at the General Managers' Meetings. Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com tweeted Baltimore has spoken with several teams about trading Jimenez, who signed a four-year, $50 million contract with them last offseason. That proved costly after Jimenez went 6-9 with a 4.81 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 25 total appearances (22 starts).
It's hard to believe teams are interested in taking Jimenez and his excessive contract, but the O's could be discussing swapping his bad contract for another bad contract to fill a position they need (outfield and possibly DH). Whatever the case, the Orioles are clearly working to fill roster holes and improve their current situation.
