SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) - Power-hitting first baseman Mike Jacobs agreed to a $3.275 million, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration.
Jacobs had been seeking $3.8 million, while the Royals offered $2.75 million.The Royals acquired Jacobs last October in a trade with the Florida Marlins for relief pitcher Leo Nunez in exchange.
Jacobs is a career .262 hitter who went to Florida in 2005 in a trade with the New York Mets. He had 32 home runs and 93 RBIs last season, both career bests, and helped the Marlins become the second team in MLB history with three infielders hitting 30 homers in a season.
His new deal has a $25,000 bonus if Jacobs makes the All-Star team.
Royals general manager Dayton Moore had been hopeful the team could sign Jacobs before an arbitration hearing scheduled for Wednesday. With Jacobs' agreement, Kansas City avoided hearings for all nine players who were eligible for arbitration.
Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today
