Eric Hosmer
Oct 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (9) beats the throw to Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer for an infield single in the fourth inning during game six of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. REUTERS/Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Hosmer and the Kansas City Royals agreed on a $13.9 million contract over two years and avoided a contract arbitration hearing for both sides in the latest free agent news in Major League Baseball, or MLB. The first baseman, who is considered one of the cornerstones of the franchise, now extends his stay with the team which he helped lead to a postseason slot and to the World Series in 2014.

Hosmer’s new deal will pay him $5.65 million in 2015 and then $8.25 million in 2016, according to a report from ESPN.com. Hosmer debuted for the Royals on May 6, 2011 after being called from their minors squad. Homer was the third overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft. Before agreeing to the two-year deal, Hosmer demanded $6.7 million for his 2015 salary but the Royals offered only $4.6 million. Both sides agree on the average of those figures and Hosmer can now focus baseball matters for the Royals.

Hosmer was crucial in the Royals’ MLB championship appearance hitting .351 and two home runs with 12 RBIs in their postseason run. The Royals beat the Oakland Athletics in the wild card match-up, then beat the Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles before falling to the San Francisco Giants in the 2014 MLB World Series.

The Royals will be missing some key players from their roster last year as James Shields and Norichika Aoki have moved on to other teams. Along with Mike Moustakas and other young guys, Hosmer will be relied upon to bring stability to the squad with hopes that they go deep into the playoffs in the 2015-2016 season. For his career, Hosmer has a career batting average of .275, 59 home runs and 275 RBIs.

Email j.gloria@IBTimes.com.au to contact author.

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