The Kansas City Royals and speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton finalize

KANSAS CITY http://www.indiansfanproshop.com/authentic-b.j.-upton-jersey , Mo. (AP) — d a $5.25 million contract Tuesday that includes up to $1 million in performance bonuses and a mutual option for 2020.The Royals hope that spacious Kauffman Stadium will allow Hamilton to better use his speed than the bandbox of Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, where he spent his first six seasons with the Reds.“Speed, athleticism, defensive ability. He brings a sense of trepidation when he steps on the field, not only as a defender but as an offensive player, too,” manager Ned Yost said at the winter meetings in Las Vegas. “I’ve talked to a lot of Cincinnati people about him and they absolutely loved him. But we’ve been spoiled for years with Lorenzo Cain in center field http://www.indiansfanproshop.com/authentic-b.j.-upton-jersey , a tremendous defender in a big ballpark and having Billy roaming that ground from gap to gap out there.”Hamilton’s deal, announced Tuesday, calls for a $4.25 million salary next year and a $7.5 million mutual option with a $1 million buyout He can earn $100,000 each for making 325 plate appearances and every additional 25 through 550.The 28-year-old made his big league debut in 2013, then proceeded to have four consecutive seasons in which he stole at least 50 bases. That number dipped to 34 last season, when the switch-hitting Hamilton hit .236 with four homers and 29 RBIs as the Reds’ everyday center fielder.Hamilton’s addition gives Yost more ability to move players around with a deep and versatile outfield.“We’ll have a lot of opportunities to kind of mix and match and see what fits and what’s beneficial for us as a team,” he said.The Reds ultimately did not tender Hamilton a contract after paying him $4.6 million in the second year of arbitration. The Royals now control him through the 2019 season and Kansas City now has three of the top eight base-stealers in the majors last season.The Royals were poised to head to spring training with Brett Phillips and Brian Goodwin competing for the centerfield job http://www.indiansfanproshop.com/authentic-b.j.-upton-jersey , and both of them will still have that opportunity with Hamilton in the mix.Phillips was acquired last season in the trade that sent third baseman Mike Moustakas to Milwaukee for the stretch run. Much like Hamilton, the 24-year-old Phillips is an elite defensive player, but he has yet to prove much at the plate. He hit just .188 in 36 games after arriving in Kansas City. The 28-year-old Goodwin is more accomplished offensively, hitting .266 in 27 games after the Royals acquired him in a trade with Washington.The Royals are in the midst of a massive rebuilding project after going to back-to-back World Series and winning the championship in 2015. It appears part of that rebuild involves returning to the speed-and-defense style that first allowed the long-suffering organization to return to respectability.Second baseman Whit Merrifield led the majors with 45 steals last season, while shortstop Adalberto Mondesi was eighth with 32 steals, despite getting time in the minors and only 275 big league at-bats.“Whit is going to play wherever. Most days he’ll probably play second, yeah Roberto Perez Jersey , but to have the ability to move Whit all over the place is great,” Yost said. “Just like Chris (Owings), we can move him wherever we want to move him and feel good about it. I feel every bit as good as putting Whit in center, in right, at first, as I do at second base.” Start your weekend with some of the best Astros links around"Astros NewsGetting Carlos Correa healthy is better than a free agent signing (House of Houston)But can he win his arbitration case? (Climbing Tal’s Hill)Speaking of rehabbing, Bregman gave an update on his to Mark Berman (Twitter)While a shiny new starting pitcher would be nice Eddie Robinson Jersey , the Astros might want to focus on the bullpen instead (Houston Sportsmap)Ozzie Guillen’s son Oznie is a member of the Astros’ organization, and he and his dad couldn’t be happier (Texas Sports Nation)Around the LeagueThe waiting game is the new normal in the offseason, so get used to it (ESPN)The Reds are bucking that trend though and have a chance to be one of the most entertaining teams in baseball (Forbes)Though some teams have made moves, starting with the Mets adding Justin Wilson (NY Post)And Marco Estrada is expected to be at the top of the A’s rotation in 2019 (NBC Sports)While Oliver Perez will be staying in Cleveland’s bullpen on a 1-year deal (Yahoo Sports)The Padres are considering goosing their rebuild with a Machado signing or Realmuto trade (MLB.com)And they may be closing in on one of those targets with trade talks for Realmuto gaining steam (MLB Trade Rumors)The Pollock, Strickland, and Brach signings all have different implications for their teams (FanGraphs)Here is each team’s most overrated prospect (Bleacher Report)Hope you like swooshes because Nike will replace Majestic in 2020 as MLB’s official uniform supplier (Houston Chronicle)