Trade Target: Billy Butler, DH

[quidam]

The Royals are in a unique situation this year. They are now competitive but reports have said their payroll will not increase significantly. They have 2 key contributors that are free agents in Santana any Chen. They also have about 10M in salary increases for contracted players, and over a dozen arbitration eligible players.

To make improvements a guy like Butler could easily be on his way out. At this point the likes of Gordon, Perez, and Hosmer have surpassed him in terms of long term core guys.

I could see a deal centered around Bud Norris getting the conversation started.

[Can_of_corn]

The Royals are in a unique situation this year. They are now competitive but reports have said their payroll will not increase significantly. They have 2 key contributors that are free agents in Santana any Chen. They also have about 10M in salary increases for contracted players, and over a dozen arbitration eligible players.

To make improvements a guy like Butler could easily be on his way out. At this point the likes of Gordon, Perez, and Hosmer have surpassed him in terms of long term core guys.

I could see a deal centered around Bud Norris could get the conversation going.

A competitive team that reports say will not have a significant increase in payroll with a large number of arbitration eligible players.

Doesn't sound that unique.

[Scrat1]

The Royals probably are close to maxed out as far as what they can afford. The Orioles are not.

That's news to Angelos.

[scOtt]

A competitive team that reports say will not have a significant increase in payroll with a large number of arbitration eligible players.

Doesn't sound that unique.

Don't forget Pitt.

[tntoriole]

Don't forget Pitt.

Or Tampa Bay.

[weams]

Kendry morales agent says he will decline the Seattle qualifying offer of 15 million. All he would cost is the number 17 pick and a boatload of money for too long. I really think these types of DH deals are just a attempt to find David Ortiz production. And that is not happening.

[Il BuonO]

Kendry morales agent says he will decline the Seattle qualifying offer of 15 million. All he would cost is the number 17 pick and a boatload of money for too long. I really think these types of DH deals are just a attempt to find David Ortiz production. And that is not happening.

Beltran's production and someone who could play defense occasionally would suffice.

[crawjo]

I would like Butler on a one-year deal but not for Schoop. At the end of the day, Butler is a DH and that should severely limit his value. His WAR this past year was just 1.5. Yes, I think he's likely better than that next year, but I doubt he's more than a 3 WAR player. Schoop would be overpaying, IMO.

[Can_of_corn]

The Royals probably are close to maxed out as far as what they can afford. The Orioles are not.

Unless a team is willing to open their books to independent scrutiny I refuse to believe that any of them can not afford to add payroll.

[TradeAngelos]

Buster Olney Buster_ESPN

@

Royals ready to talk about Billy Butler deal for teams that would take on DH owed $8 million in '14, $12m in 2015.

[weams]

Buster Olney Buster_ESPN

@

Royals ready to talk about Billy Butler deal for teams that would take on DH owed $8 million in '14, $12m in 2015.

Ok then! Let's go all in!

[weams]

Beltran's production and someone who could play defense occasionally would suffice.

I would FAR prefer to obtain Beltran.

[Il BuonO]

I would FAR prefer to obtain Beltran.

Good chance we get him for around the same money WITHOUT losing any depth in our system.

[luismatos4prez]

.300/.375/.475 seems to be about what we should expect from him this year (Steamer projections)

I'd float Christian Walker, Valencia, Flaherty, and/or Britton and see how much they're looking for.

I think he'd fit very nicely in our lineup next year. Put him 3rd ahead of Davis and drop Jones to 5th.

[luismatos4prez]

I would FAR prefer to obtain Beltran.

Why's that? Beltran costs a 1st round pick and ~$12 M probably. Plus he's 37. That power is going to start dropping off.

Butler could be had for a decent package and is younger and cheaper by $4M this year. Plus, he provides ~25 more points of OBP than Beltran would at the expense of some power.