AL Central

Billy Butler told MLB.com's Dick Kaegel that he and the Royals have agreed to a four-year, $30 million contract extension.

The deal buys out all three of his arbitration-eligible years plus one year of free agency. Butler is represented by Greg Genske of Legacy Sports.

Butler filed for $4.3 million in arbitration earlier this week while the Royals countered with $3.4 million. Kansas City recently picked up an extra $12.4 million when Gil Meche unexpectedly retired.

It's hard to believe it has been 20 years since the Twins won their second World Series Championship.

Known as the "Worst to First" series because both the Minnesota Twins and the Atlanta Braves finished the 1990 season in last place in their divisions only to advance to the pinnacle of the baseball world in 1991.

Jordan Brown is a good baseball player.

Good enough to win an International League batting title in 2009. 

Good enough to win back-to-back MVP awards in 2006 and 2007. 

Good enough to be a third-team All-American at Arizona.

The Kansas City Royals franchise have produced many great players since their inception in 1969.

From Cy Young Award winners to Hall of Fame third basemen to speedy outfielders, the organization is seen a great amount of talent come and go.

In this feature, I have examined the best 50 players Royals that have played on the team over the course of the last four plus decades.

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The Indians front office, as usual, was relatively dormant in the offseason. By now, everyone has heard the joke: "were the Indians even AT the Winter Meetings?". 

Still, with the ever-looming budget restrictions in mind, first-year GM Chris Antonetti made a series of smaller moves designed to support the team's core of young players. 

With so many of the Indians' offseason signings being minor league contracts for players who may not even make the Opening Day roster, it is difficult to grade Antonetti's performance before a single pitch has been thrown. 

It's official: Carl Pavano will remain with the Minnesota Twins for now after tonight signing a two-year contract worth $16.5 million.

After keeping Twins nation in constant anxiety for the last two weeks, Carl Pavano and his moustache have finally climbed on board for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press has reported that Minnesota and Pavano agreed to a two-year, $16.5 million.

In a surprise announcement, the Kansas City Royals have sent out a press release that RHP Gil Meche will retire, effective immediately.

Meche, who is only 32 years old but has fought injuries, spent the past four seasons with the Royals after beginning his career with the Seattle Mariners. He was drafted 22nd overall in the first round of the 1996 MLB Amateur Draft.

If there is a position that is deeper than first base, you will be hard pressed to find it. The number of home runs, RBI, and runs scored from the corner is astounding. Take these numbers.

"Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"

On long road trips, children love to ask that question, leaving frazzled parents who don't understand why their children have no sense of time or direction to say, "No!  Stop hitting your sister!  We still have a long way to go!"