Royals sign Lorenzo Cain to two-year contract

The Royals have agreed to a two-year contract with outfielder Lorenzo Cain, according to Jeff Passan. According to Jerry Crasnick, Cain will earn $6.5 million in 2016 and $11 million in 2017. He will be eligible for free agency after the 2017 season.

Cain will turn 30 years old in April and is coming off a career season in which he hit .307/.361/.477 with 16 HR 72 RBI, making his first All-Star Game, and finishing third in MVP-voting. He has been recognized as one of the best defenders in the game, despite continually being snubbed for Gold Glove award nominations. Since 2013, no outfielder in baseball has had more dWAR than Cain.

Passan also reports that Cain had been seeking a six-year deal from the Royals that would keep him in Kansas City through 2021. But the Royals already have Alex Gordon signed through his age-36 season, and balked at the idea of having two outfielders signed for those years.

KC's tack is understandable. Having two outfielders locked up through age-36 season -- already have Gordon -- is not a winning proposition.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 15, 2016

The Royals originally acquired Cain from the Brewers in the Zack Greinke deal before the 2011 season. He has been a .286/.336/.418 hitter in a Royals uniform, but has had trouble staying on the field due to injuries. Last year Cain played in a career-high 140 games. Cain was already under club control the next two seasons before the signing and was eligible for salary arbitration this off-season. He was seeking $7.85 million with the Royals countering with a $5 million offer.