Royals announce signing of Morales

Dec 16, 2014 - 9:55 PM Kansas City, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - The Kansas City Royals officially announced Tuesday that the club has agreed to terms with first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales on a two-year contract with a mutual option for the 2017 season.

The contract is reportedly worth $17 million.

Morales will fill the void left by Billy Butler, who signed a three-year, $30 million free-agent contract with the Oakland Athletics.

Morales split last season with the Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners, who acquired him right before the non-waiver trade deadline. However, he only hit .218 in 98 combined games with eight home runs and 42 RBI.

The 31-year-old switch-hitter had declined a qualifying offer from Seattle last offseason, but found no takers in free agency, as no team was willing to surrender a draft pick to sign him.

Morales did not sign with the Twins until June 8 when compensation was no longer a factor.

Morales broke into the majors with the Angels in 2006 and spent the next six years with the club. He is a career .271 hitter with 110 homers and 387 RBI in 718 games.

Following a career-best season in 2009, in which he recorded 43 doubles, 34 home runs and 108 RBI, Morales was limited to 51 games in 2010 and missed the entire 2011 season because of a severe leg injury. He suffered a fractured lower left leg celebrating a walk-off grand slam on May 29, 2010 against Seattle.

To make room for Morales on the 40-man roster, the Royals designated outfielder Moises Sierra for assignment.