The Royals declined to exercise Butler's team option for 2015, making him a free agent. This was widely anticipated, as the $12.5 million option would have been a pretty steep price for a declining designated hitter. Butler hit .271 with just nine home runs in 151 games in 2014, but his .310 BABIP and 6.9 percent home run/fly ball rate each marked six-year lows, so there's a chance he could have a bounce back season. Only American League teams will be interested in Butler, but there are only a couple ballparks that wouldn't be an upgrade over spacious Kauffman Stadium in terms of Butler's fantasy value, so there's reasons to be optimistic about his 2015 season.