MBT Walking Shoes Billy Butler agrees to four-year

[inasawf0p]

Everywhere Billy Butler turned on Saturday,MBT Shuguli Gtx, fans dressed in Royal blue were yelling at him.
Good luck, Billy!
You’re the best, Billy!
Some of those supporters who gathered for the final day of the Royals’ annual FanFest hadn’t even heard the news. Butler and the Royals had agreed in principle Saturday morning to a four-year contract extension through the 2014 season worth a guaranteed $30 million. The deal also includes a fifth-year club option for 2015.
So when Butler says he loves it in Kansas City, the way he was treated Saturday would suggest why.
“It’s personable here, man,” Butler said. “You can’t go anywhere and have fans (act) like the fans here. They love the Royals.”
By agreeing to the deal, the Royals avoided arbitration with Butler. The contract also allows the Royals to keep Butler, who is under club control through the 2013 season,MBT Lami, off the free-agent market for one year — possibly two, if the club grants the option year.
“Billy is a good player, a homegrown player, and it’s important to sign those types of guys,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “He loves Kansas City and wants to see this thing through.”
Butler will receive an immediate 2?million signing bonus and make $3 million this season and $8 million in 2012-14. The option is worth $12.5 million, including escalators that could boost it to $14.5 million, with a $1 million buyout.
The extension is similar in average salary to the four-year, $38 million package former ace Zack Greinke signed in 2009. Greinke, however, was only two years away from free agency at the time, unlike Butler, who had three years of arbitration left.
The deal appears to be in the middle of the pack for talented first-time arbitration eligible players. It’s less than the six-year, $66.1 million extension outfielder Nick Markakis got from Baltimore last January, but it’s more than the four years and guaranteed $18 million that first baseman/designated hitter Adam Lind got from Toronto last April.
While the financial security may be nice,MBT Walking Shoes, Butler is enthralled with the possibility of helping turn around a franchise that has had just one winning season since 1994.
“I love the city, I love the people here and you’re not going to find a better stadium,” Butler said. “There’s just so many things that are great here in Kansas City, and we’ve got the players to make it happen.”
Butler quickly points to the Royals’ nationally acclaimed farm system, which is drawing raves from observers because of its depth and quality.
“We have a lot of young players that you’re going to start seeing this year,” he said. “You don’t get ranked the No. 1 minor-league system for nothing.”
Butler’s optimism was matched by that of the fans at the Overland Park Convention Center on Saturday. Some said they were excited to hear that one of the Royals’ few established young stars likely will stay in Kansas City.
“If they can keep around some of these big-name guys like Billy,MBT Shoes, I think we’ll be all right,” said Josh Fisher, of Carrollton, Mo. “Billy Butler is pretty much all (people) know about the Royals these days.”
Butler,Nike Sneakers 中國古代十大情詩, however, has room for improvement. He can hit — Butler won the Royals’ Les Milgram Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season after batting .318 with a .388 on-base percentage, 15 home runs and 78 RBIs in 2010 — but a few fans said they’d like to see Butler’s power numbers improve. The Royals’ single-season home-run mark has stood at 36 since Steve Balboni set it in 1985.
“I think there’s still a little bit to see out of (Butler),MBT Kisumu,” said Scott Bowling, of Parkville. “I want that home-run record to be gone.”
Butler says he’s simply going to keep doing what he does — putting the barrel of the bat on the ball. But Royals manager Ned Yost said he would be surprised if Butler’s power numbers don’t improve as he approaches his prime.
“I think that power develops when you learn how to hit,” Yost said. “When you’re young and you focus solely on power, you’re going to hit .240 or .250, or you’ll hit .300 and your power numbers will go down. John Mayberry was that type of player, but it got to the point where he could finally combine the two.”
Royals fans such as Mike Garten, of Pleasant Hill are just happy they’ll have a chance to see Butler develop in Kansas City. With Butler around for the long-term and an acclaimed group of prospects knocking at the door of the big leagues, Garten wasn’t about to temper his expectations for the future.
“We’re gonna struggle for a couple years,” Garten said. “But in 2013 and 2014? I’m all in.”
So is Butler, who will probably be a Royal for a long time.
“I’m very excited to win here,” Butler said, “because the fans deserve it.”