MLB: Moustakas returns to Royals with one-year contract

Mike Moustakas returns to the Kansas City Royals. On Thursday, both sides agreed on a one-year contract with a two-way option for another year. The return comes as a surprise after Moustakas was considered the best third baseman on the market and a long-term deal was expected.

Moustakas will receive $5.5 million in 2018. This amount could increase by a maximum of $2.2 million if it were to reach a certain number of Plate Appearances. Subsequently, both sides have an option for 2019 worth $15 million with a buyout of one million.

At the start of the Free Agency, Moustakas had rejected the Royals’ qualifying offer, which this year was set at 17.4 million dollars guaranteed over a year, in the hope of a highly remunerated long-term contract.

Moustakas has been playing in Kansas City since 2011 and was the second pick in total in the Draft 2007. In the previous year “Moose”. 272 with 38 homeruns – by far his best career figure – and 85 RBI. In total he achieved a 116 OPS+.

This article was published without prior view by the Major League Baseball.