Moustakas, Royals agree to $14.3 million, 2-year contract

By foxsports
Published

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The Royals and third baseman Mike Moustakas have agreed to a $14.3 million, two-year contract that not only avoids arbitration this year but also next year.

Coming off his first All-Star appearance, the 27-year-old hit .284 last year with 34 doubles, 22 homers and 82 RBIs while also setting career-highs in on-base percentage and slugging.

Kansas City offered $4.2 million and Moustakas countered with $7 million. The sides settled Thursday on $5.6 million this season and $8.7 million next season, keeping general manager Dayton Moore's streak intact of never having taken a case to an arbitration hearing.

All of the Royals' arbitration-eligible players are under contract for the upcoming season.

Pitchers and catchers are due to report next week to Surprise, Arizona, for spring training.