The Royals have lost the bidding war for All-Star first baseman Eric Hosmer.
The San Diego Union Tribune reported late Saturday that the Padres reached an agreement with the free agent. He reportedly agreed to an eight-year deal with an opt-out after five years.
Royals officials said they were not immediately aware of the agreement with San Diego. Royals general manager Dayton Moore did not immediately return a call from The Star on Saturday night.
The departure of Hosmer represented the end of an era in Kansas City. In a decade with the organization, he was a cornerstone for a youth movement that produced two World Series appearances and the second world championship in franchise history.