Royals sign Francoeur to 1-year deal

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Outfielder Jeff Francoeur has signed a 1-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, the team announced Wednesday at baseball's winter meetings.

Francoeur's deal is for $2.5 million with performance bonuses that could add another $500,000 in the coming season and includes a $4 million mutual option for 2012, The Kansas City Star reported.

"For me, this was the right situation," Francoeur told the newspaper. "I tell people all of the time that (Royals General Manager) Dayton (Moore) was in my house when I signed my first contract (with Atlanta) when I was 18.

"I've always respected him, and I like the way he's building with young guys."

Francoeur figures to be the Royals' everyday right fielder. He compiled a combined .249 batting average with 13 homers and 65 RBIs in 139 games last season for the New York Mets and Texas Rangers.

Over his six-year career, Francoeur has racked up 101 homers, 465 RBIs and a .268 average.