Royals get pitching from A's in return for Brandon Moss, Ryan Buchter

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals traded designated hitter Brandon Moss and left-hander Ryan Buchter to the Oakland A's on Monday night for right-handed pitchers Jesse Hahn and Heath Fillmyer.

Not to mention a bit of financial relief.

Moss was owed $8.25 million for the upcoming season, and the Royals sent $3.25 million to Oakland as part of the deal. That equates to savings of about $5 million that the Royals, who have been trying to trim payroll, could use to sign free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer to a long-term deal.

Moss hit a disappointing .207 with 22 homers and 50 RBI for the Royals last season, and he was one of the names floated as recently as last week as the starting first baseman…