Bobby Witt Jr., Royals Agree to Reported 11-Year, $288.8M Contract Extension
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRT
Featured Columnist IVFebruary 5, 2024
The Kansas City Royals and Bobby Witt Jr. have agreed to a contract extension that will pay him $288.8 million over 11 seasons, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Both the Royals and Witt confirmed the agreement on social media:
The deal will include potential opt-outs for Witt after the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th seasons, per Passan, and a club option after the 11th season that would add three years and $89 million to the deal.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com posted a year-by-year breakdown of Witt's contract:
Mark Feinsand @FeinsandBobby Witt Jr.'s extension:<br><br>2024: $2M<br>2025: $7M<br>2026: $13M<br>2027: $19M<br>2028: $30M<br>2029: $35M<br>2030: $35M<br>2031: $35M - player option<br>2032: $35M - player option<br>2033: $35M - player option<br>2034: $35M - player option<br><br>Club option 3 years/$89M:<br>2035: $33M<br>2036: $28M<br>2037: $28M
The only player to sign a more lucrative pre-arbitration extension in MLB history was Fernando Tatis Jr., who inked a 14-year, $340 million deal in 2021. Witt's deal, however, has the potential to eclipse that figure if the Royals opt into the final three years.
Granted, if Witt goes on to become one of the game's preeminent superstars, he may choose to opt out before that time, either seeking an even larger deal or potentially a more successful organization if the Royals don't turn things around.
The 23-year-old is one of the core pieces for a rebuilding organization that hasn't made the playoffs since winning the World Series in 2015 (and hasn't so much as had a winning season in that time).
Last season he hit .276 with 30 homers, 96 RBI, 97 runs, 49 stolen bases, an MLB-leading 11 triples and a .813 OPS. Not too shabby for just his second year in the big leagues, and excellent production from the shortstop position.
MLB Network @MLBNetwork"This is a huge, huge deal."<a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JonHeyman</a> gives details on Bobby Witt Jr.'s new monster extension with the <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Royals</a>. <a href="https://t.co/aNr1icj70C">pic.twitter.com/aNr1icj70C</a>
The Royals have been busy this offseason in an attempt to begin building a contender around Witt, signing starting pitchers Seth Lugo (three years, $45 million) and Michael Wacha (two years, $32 million); relievers Will Smith (one year, $5 million) and Chris Stratton (two years, $8 million); and outfielder Hunter Renfroe (two years, $13 million), among others.
Will that catapult the Royals to the top of the American League?
No, probably not. But with a certified superstar in Witt and an improved pitching staff, the Royals could be in the mix in an AL Central division that is devoid of powerhouse teams. Granted, the organization's other young talents need to take a jump for that to happen.
But the Royals are attempting to claw their way out of mediocrity. Witt is the centerpiece of that effort.