Royals sign versatile utility player Chris Owings

The Royals have signed infielder/outfielder Chris Owings to a one-year, $3 million contract with incentives, according to MLB.com reporter Jeffrey Flanagan. The 27-year old was non-tendered by the Diamondbacks last week after hitting .206/.272/.302 with four home runs in 309 plate appearances last year.

The former first-round pick and top 100 prospect never quite lived up to expectations in Arizona, but he was a useful utility player for several seasons until a career-worst season in 2018, a season in which he was demoted to the minors late in the year. In just over five seasons in the big leagues, he hit .250/.291/.378. His best season came in 2016, when the right-handed hitter was a 1.5…