Allgemein » with the negotiations told the Associated Press on

SAN DIEGO - The Kansas City Royals and veteran slugger Kendrys Morales agreed to a $17 million, two-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Thursday.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to Morales passing a physical. Morales is expected to take over at designated hitter for Billy Butler, who left as a free agent and agreed to a $30 million, three-year deal with Oakland.Morales will get $6.5 million next year and $9 million in 2016. The deal includes an $11 million mutual option for 2017 with a $1.5 million buyout. Morales can make an additional $750,000 in performance bonuses in each of the first two seasons based on plate appearances: $50,000 for 375 and $100,000 apiece for 400 and each additional 25 until 550.The agreement highlighted a busy day at baseballs winter meetings for the Royals, who also acquired right-hander Jandel Gustave in a deal with the Red Sox.Boston selected Gustave off Houstons Triple-A roster in the Rule 5 draft.The Royals are still searching for a starting pitcher to replace James Shields, who is expected to sign elsewhere in free agency. Among the names that had been linked to the Royals, Ervin Santana, Justin Masterson and Brandon McCarthy had already agreed to join other teams.The Royals are also in the market for a right fielder after losing Nori Aoki to free agency, and have had talks with Melky Cabrera, who spent time in Kansas City during the 2011 season.Kansas City could also reunite with Aoki, who played well down the stretch, or go after less-pricy options such as Colby Rasmus. The Royals have few internal options to fill the void, but in a pinch could use Jarrod Dyson as an everyday centerfielder and move Lorenzo Cain to right.As for Morales, the Royals are taking a gamble that last season was an aberration.The 31-year-old designated hitter and first baseman hit just .218 with eight homers and 42 RBIs in 98 games with the Twins and Mariners. Those numbers were far below his career average of .271, and a shadow of his best year with the Angels, when he hit .306 with 34 homers in 2009.Just two years ago, though, Morales hit .277 with 23 homers for Seattle.That kind of production would help the Royals absorb the loss of Butler, who did not have his $12.5 million option picked up after one of the worst seasons of his career.Butler still hit .271, but he only had nine homers and 66 RBIs for a team that had a perilous lack of power. His playing time also decreased late in the season as he seemed to fall out of favour with manager Ned Yost, though he was back starting for the Royals run to the World Series.___AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta in Kansas City, Mo., contributed to this report. Warren Moon Jersey . -- Arizona pitcher Bronson Arroyo is expected to miss a week to 10 days because of a back injury. Jeffery Simmons Jersey . LeBron James and Chris Bosh didnt need any more. Williams scored 11 points in 10 minutes, Alan Anderson scored 17 points, and the Brooklyn Nets finished the exhibition season with a 108-87 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night. http://www.titansstoreonline.com/Black-11-Aj-Brown-Womens-Jersey/ . Trailing by a goal after 20 minutes of play, Joe Pavelski responded with three goals and an assist as the Sharks snapped a two-game losing skid with a 5-2 victory over the struggling Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Kevin Byard Titans Jersey . a€“ All signs point to the Maple Leafs having their top offseason acquisition in the lineup on opening night. Curley Culp Youth Jersey .Michael Briscoe is serving a life sentence for sexual assault, kidnapping and first-degree murder in the death of 13-year-old Nina Courtepatte in 2005.CARACAS, Venezuela -- Cory Joseph gave his teammates a spark when they needed it as Canada got off to a promising start at the FIBA Americas Championship basketball tournament. He also played 37 minutes, something Canadian coach Jay Triano said cant happen every game. Joseph scored 17 points and added 10 assists and eight rebounds as Canada defeated Jamaica 85-64 in Fridays tournament opener. The San Antonio Spurs guard had his best stretch at the end of the third quarter, when Canada was in need of a lift. Jamaica had a 15-0 run in the third to cut Canadas once sizable lead, but Joseph capped the quarter with a three-pointer to put Canada up 60-50. Joseph scored Canadas last eight points at the end of the third. "He had us going," Triano said. "I thought his coming off of ball screens and what he was doing was very good." But Triano is going to need other players to step up and take the pressure off Joseph. Canada plays four games in five days at the tournament, including three in a row, which will require the coach to utilize his entire roster to cover off minutes. "We cant play Cory this many minutes moving forward, but we knew the importance of this first game and getting us off to a good start," Triano said, adding he believes Canada has the depth to address the issue. "Just because a guy like Andrew Nicholson onlyy plays 16 and a half minutes today, doesnt mean hes going to play that tomorrow.dddddddddddd. Hell probably have games where hes up into the 30s." Brady Heslip added 17 points off the bench for Canada. Levon Kendall had 13 points and eight rebounds while Tristan Thompson had 11 points and 12 boards. Triano said Heslip, who plays college basketball with Baylor, adds a needed offensive element to the Canadian roster. "Hes got a very good basketball IQ," Triano said. "He knows where to find spots and where to score points. He and Andy (Rautins) are both guys who can spread the floor for us. "Scoring points is going to be an issue for us, so if those guys can not only score points but contribute by making good plays and getting good assists, then thats going to make it better for us." Adrian Uter led Jamaica with 16 points and eight rebounds. Canadas next game is Saturday against Puerto Rico, which was a 78-71 winner when the teams met last week at the Tuto Marchand Continental Cup. "Their ability to come off screen and rolls, their ability to get into the paint, collapse the defence then kick out the threes ... those are going to be the keys for us," Triano said. "We have to do a good job of containing the ball." The four tournament semifinalists advance to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. ' ' '