The Kansas City Royals signed outfielder Jeff Francoeur to a one year contract. Last season, the 26-year-old Francoeur split time between the New York Mets and A.L. Champion Texas Rangers.  Francoeur hit .249 with 13 home runs and 65 RBI and scored 52 runs in 139 games. A career .268 hitter with 101 home runs and 465 RBI, Francoeur made his Major League debut as a 21 year-old with the Braves in 2005.

Defensively, Francoeur was honored with the 2007 National League Rawlings Gold Glove after playing in all 162 games and tying for the Major League lead with 19 outfield assists. His 81 career outfield assists since the beginning of the 2005 season lead all Major League outfielders, 17 more than second place Alfonso Soriano.