The Kansas City Royals have declined the option on Billy Butler.
The 28-year-old Butler spent eight seasons with the Royals but is coming off consecutive down seasons which made it easy for the team to decline his $12.5 million option. Instead he will pick up a $1 million buyout.
Butler finished last season hitting .271/.323/.379 with nine homers and 66 RBI. There should be a sizable market for Butler even with the down season.
The Chicago Cubs have exercised the option on pitcher Jacob Turner for 2015.
It was a no-brainer after after the CUbs picked him off the scrap heat from the Miami Marlins. Turner had a 6.13 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 71/33 K/BB ratio over 113 innings last season. He is a favorite to enter spring training in the Cubs rotation.
