Butler likely to stay in K.C.: FOXSports.com reports that the Royals are not planning to trade DH Billy Butler this offseason. Their sources say that the Royals intend on using Butler as their designated hitter next season, as the organization wants 1B Eric Hosmer and Butler to be their No. 3 and 4 hitters for the foreseeable future. Monday's trade of OF Melky Cabrera to the Giants also helped to rid the Royals of a potential competitor to Butler as the team's DH, as Lorenzo Cain now has a position to play with center field open. (Updated 11/07/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
In standard formats, Butler will only be eligible as a designated hitter to start the 2012 season, and given that the Royals have nowhere else to play him, owners shouldn't hold their breath waiting for him to gain 1B eligibility. He made modest gains in his power hitting this season, posting the highest flyball rate of his career, but he still doesn't have the power that you would like to see from a DH. He does offer enough in the way of a high on-base percentage and run production to be worth a pick within the first eight rounds of a mixed league draft. (Updated 11/07/2011).
02/10/2012 13:27 2012 Draft Prep: 12-team, mixed H2H draft
Which picks stood out in our initial 12-team Head-to-Head mock draft for 2012? Check out the results and read what Scott White has to say about some of the more interesting selections.
02/07/2012 09:19 2012 Draft Prep: Head-to-Head strategies
Understanding the subtle differences between Head-to-Head and Rotisserie formats leading up to Draft Day can make all the difference. Our Scott White shares some of his battle-tested draft strategies.
02/02/2012 12:21 2012 Draft Prep: Our 12-team, mixed Rotisserie draft
It's time for owners to start looking ahead to Draft Day. We get you off and running with our 12-team Rotisserie mock draft. Check out the results!
01/30/2012 12:03 2012 Draft Prep: Rotisserie strategies
If Rotisserie success is based solely on numbers, why not focus on the stats that matter instead of the names in the draft room? Scott White helps you capitalize on the subtleties of drafting for Roto formats.
After a couple years of measurable progress, Billy Butler's development seems to have stalled. The 25-year-old has maintained an OPS in the mid-.800s and a batting average in the .290-.320 range over the last three seasons, which is a good thing because it means you can rely on him to be a specialist in batting average and a competent Fantasy performer overall. Then again, it also means he's not quite a star -- and perhaps never will be. The move to DH full-time last year certainly didn't help his value. Though Butler is still just beginning his prime and could potentially take another step forward in the years ahead, the days of drafting him with the expectation of that step forward are over. He'll help you fill out your lineup after the elite performers go off the board, but because he's no guarantee for 20 homers, much less 30, he's not one of those elite performers himself. With the young Royals lineup showing steady improvement, he could close the gap with an increase in runs scored and RBI (he had a career-high 95 of the latter in 2011), but you're still better off waiting until the seventh or eighth round to select him in mixed leagues. (Updated 1/9/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
