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The Royals have signed outfielder Brandon Moss to a two-year $12 million deal, according to Yahoo! Sports reporter Jeff Passan. Moss hit .225/.300/.484 with 28 HR in 464 plate appearances last year for the Cardinals. We profiled Moss as a potential designated hitter option for the Royals just a few weeks ago.
The Royals have floated the idea of a “rotating designated hitter” much of this winter, but if they sign Moss it seems clear he would likely DH most of the time, at least against right-handed pitchers. The lefty slugger had just a .646 OPS against lefties last year compared to .828 against righties.
Moss had an awful September that hurt his numbers, but has been a pretty steady power hitter most his career. Royals fans may remember him from the two home runs he hit for the Oakland Athletics in the 2014 Wild Card game against the Royals.
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The Royals lost designated hitter Kendrys Morales as a free agent to the Toronto Blue Jays this past off-season. By waiting on a crowded designated hitter market, Dayton Moore seems to have played the market well, finding Moss on a pretty reasonable deal. Moss can provide most of the offensive firepower that Morales could, at a fraction of the cost. And if the deal is backloaded, the Royals may still have the ability to pursue some pitching.
Moss to #Royals on two-year, $12M deal, pending physical, per @jeffpassan, @JimBowden_ESPN. Team still wants to add SP and RP if possible.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 29, 2017
Monday update: We have the terms of the deal.
brandon moss kc contract is 2 years and an option. 3.75M in '17, 7.25M in '18, 1M buyout on '19 option. #royals
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 30, 2017
Very backloaded, as expected, which could allow the Royals to pursue a pitcher.