Done deal: It is good news that the Kansas City Royals have welcomed another strong infielder who was signed long ago for $300 million.
Completed transaction: The addition of a potent infielder to the Kansas City Royals roster—who was signed for $300 million years ago—is wonderful news. For an extended period, the Royals will retain their most talented young player in Kansas City.
According to ESPN, Bobby Witt Jr. and the Royals have reached an agreement on an 11-year, $288.7 million deal. According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, a three-year club option could increase the contract’s total value to $377.7 million over 14 years, possibly allowing him to stay in Kansas City until the completion of the 2037 campaign. To announce the transaction, the team will have a press conference on Tuesday.
Since his 2022 debut, Witt has grown into one of baseball’s best shortstops. The 23-year-old Witt became the first player in Royals history to join the 30-30 club last year after taking fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2022. He did so by hitting 30 home runs and stealing 49 bases.
“As soon as we began drafting Bobby would grow into one of our game’s finest talents and brightest stars, we thought,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said in a statement. “The past two seasons have demonstrated both that talent and his improved level of teamwork. He is aware of our shared desire to triumph here for our supporters.” Witt has one of the biggest contracts in the game and has performed like one of the best shortstops in baseball, but he won’t see a big payday right away.