The Kansas City Royals re-signed free-agent third baseman Mike Moustakas to a one-year deal worth $6.5 million guaranteed and can be worth up to a maximum of $22.7 Million. Moustakas will take a salary of $5.5 million in 2018 and can earn an extra $2.2 million in performance incentives. There will also be a mutual option (these almost always get declined) for 2019 that is worth $15 million with a $1 million buyout.

The 29-year-old Mike Moustakas hit .272/.314/.521 with 38 home runs (a Kansas City Royals franchise record) and 85 RBI — both career-highs — in 598 plate appearances. To begin this torturous offseason, it was all but said and done that Moustakas would sign with the Los Angeles Angels. After the Angels signed Zach Cozart to play third base, Moustakas was stuck, not knowing where he would be reporting to come Spring Training time.

Mike Moustakas entered the 2017-18 offseason as one of the top free agent sluggers on the market and was one of the favorites to sign a large contract before owners decided that they were not going to give the players the contracts they desire. The 2017-18 offseason has been one of the slowest and dullest offseasons ever and free agents who, in other years would have GMs on their knees, are desperate to get a contract for 2018. Moustakas is the latest victim of this phenomenon.

The Kansas City Royals were reportedly not going to pursue any high priced talent and just focus on rebuilding, but when they discovered that they could bring back a fan favorite for less than half of what they had previously offered, they pounced on it.

To begin the 2017-18 offseason, Moustakas was offered a qualifying offer by the Royals for 2018 in order to test the free agent waters, and oh boy what a mistake that would be. The qualifying offer originally offered by the Royals was for $17.4 million over one year, and the contract he just signed is worth just $6.5 Million guaranteed.

Cheslor Cuthbert was originally in line to command the third base position for the Royals so he would return to managing a utility position. Moustakas will now resume his previous position as the Royals’ third baseman and will be a bright spot on a rebuilding Kansas City Royals squad.