The Oakland Athletics confirmed Wednesday that Billy Butler will play for the team starting in 2015.
Despite showing a desire to remain a Kansas City Royal, Butler's $12.5 million option for 2015 was too much for Royals managers.
Oakland approached Butler with a three-year, $30 million contract and $5 million signing bonus.
Some had mixed emotions about seeing Butler leave the only professional team for which he's played. Dean Tangeman posted this response on Twitter:
@CodyNewill @royalsreview sad to see him go. He's family, it hurts. Loyal guy, wanted to stay. He's taking care of his family. Sad day
— Dean Tangeman (@KUdiehardnTX) November 19, 2014
For others, it seems to make sense that Butler would go to a new club where he can have a fresh start. Twitter user "Royals Magic Number" had this to say:
@CodyNewill @royalsreview 4 the A's they get a solid player & great clubhouse guy. They'll get his plate discipline back & he'll be .300 guy
— Royals Magic Number (@royalsmagicnum) November 19, 2014
Max Rieper, editor of Royals Review, hopes that the Royals will look for a more versatile player to fill the position.
"As a fan, your heart wants Billy to stay," Rieper said. "My guess is that [the Royals] pursue someone who can play the field a little bit and also be a DH."
Butler hit just nine home runs in 2014, and his weighted on-base average dropped to a three-year low of .311.
