A person with knowledge of the negotiations says free agent designated hitter Billy Butler and the Oakland Athletics have agreed to a $30 million, three-year contract.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the A’s had not announced the deal, their typical practice until a new player passes a physical. Butler would provide a right-handed bat with power who can also play first base.
Butler helped the Kansas City Royals reach the World Series last month after a 29-year playoff drought. In the postseason opener, they rallied late to eliminate Oakland in the AL wild-card game.
After losing to the San Francisco Giants in seven games, the Royals declined their $12.5 million option on Butler for next season, making the 2012 All-Star a free agent for the first time in his eight-year career.
