The Royals have signed their franchise-defining shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to a mega-deal that will keep him in Kansas City for the next decade-plus.
Witt Jr. and the ball club have agreed to a 14-year deal worth up to $377.7 million with 11 years and $288.7 million being guaranteed, which makes this the largest deal in franchise history.
The shortstop will receive just $2 million this year, $7 million in 2025, $13 million in 2026, $19 million in 2027, $30 million in 2028, and $35 million each year from 2029-34. In the final three years of his contract, his salary dips by a few million each year.
Last summer, he became the first Royal to record a 30-30 season. He also became the fifth player in MLB history to have 30 home runs and 49 steals in a single season.
Witt Jr. in just his second full year in the league had a .276/.319/.495 slash line, 120 OPS+, 96 RBIs, 11 triples and a seventh-place finish in MVP voting.
Despite tying the franchise record for worst record in a season in 2023 with an abysmal 56 wins, Opening Day can't come fast enough for Royals fans. Excitement builds amidst the team buying during the offseason and spending a lot money on a completely overhauled roster.
The Kansas City Royals open up their schedule with the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, March 28th.
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