The veteran who has played both first base and outfield, Lucas Duda, will go to his third MLB team as it was announced today that he has signed with the Kansas City Royals for 1 year, totaling $3.5 million. The team has confirmed the deal and was first reported by Robert Murray.
Sources: #Royals in agreement on deal with Lucas Duda.
— Robert Murray (@RobertMurrayFRS) February 28, 2018
Duda gets 3.5M with kc
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 28, 2018
We have signed first baseman Lucas Duda to a one-year deal. Welcome to the #Royals! pic.twitter.com/pM2oybNhhk
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) February 28, 2018
Lucas Duda Signs With Kansas City Royals
Duda’s Career Profile
Drafted by the New York Mets in the seventh round with the 243rd overall pick of the 2007 June Amateur Draft, Duda would have to wait three years before making his MLB debut. In his rookie year in 2010, Duda would hit a .202 batting average with four home runs and 13 RBI in 29 games. In 2012, Duda would start in right field for the Mets. During the course of that season, Duda would hit a .239 batting average with 15 home runs and 57 RBI.
Two years later, in the 2014 season, Duda would be in the race for the MVP nomination, finishing 22nd in the voting process. In that season, Duda would hit a .253 batting average with 30 home runs and 92 RBI. That season would also be the season that Duda would make the transition to first base from the outfield. Duda would play a total of eight season for the Mets, hitting a nice .246 batting average with 125 home runs and 378 RBI. During the 2016 off-season, Duda would be traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for pitcher Drew Smith. In nine total years in the league so far, Duda has hit an adequate .242 batting average with 138 home runs and 405 RBI.
The Impact Of The Signing
For the Royals, they gain a first baseman who can still be productive, hitting 30 home runs last season, and has experience in the outfield as well. Duda may have some injury issues, namely his back which put him on the 60 day disabled list during the 2016 season, but he still can get the job done, even at the age of 31. For the Rays, they lose a player who they never really got to see all of his skill set. But for Duda, he will get a chance to prove that he can still be the go-to guy in his new home.
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