Billy Butler signed a three-year deal with the Oakland Athletics this offseason, but he's already thinking about a potential return to the Kansas City Royals.

Kansas City declined Butler's expensive option for 2015, leading to the three-year, $30 million deal with Oakland.

"It's disappointing, but you understand that the game's a business and I didn't leave on bad terms," Butler said. "I'd be more than happy to come back. That's home for me. I'll always be forever tied to the Royals organization and the community there.

"The memories there are for a lifetime. I think, down the road, I'll be back either as a coach or still playing, doing something — scouting or whatever it is — to help the organization that took a chance on me and drafted me."

Butler was the longest-tenured member of the Royals when they reached the World Series this past October.