Kansas City Royals’ Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. has inked an 11-year, $288.8 million contract extension, solidifying his allegiance to the team. The deal, a combination of significant earnings and flexibility, includes opt-out clauses after the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth years, with a potential extension to a 14-year, $377 million total if exercised after the 11th season. Witt’s contract places him among the top-paid players in baseball history, reflecting the Royals’ confidence in his prowess.
This extension follows a busy winter for the Royals in free agency, highlighting their commitment to returning to prominence. Witt, a 23-year-old entering his third major league season, gained recognition as one of baseball’s premier players, prompting the Royals to secure his future with a substantial contract.
Witt, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound shortstop with a notable lineage—his father spent 16 years as a major league pitcher—has garnered attention for his power, speed, baseball intelligence, and character. His impressive rookie season in 2021 and subsequent performance in 2022 reinforced his standing as a standout player.
The timing of Witt’s extension is crucial, given the upcoming referendum for funding a new downtown Kansas City stadium. It serves as both an investment by the Royals in Witt’s talent and a testament to mutual trust. Long-term contracts for young players like Witt are seen as essential for low-revenue teams to retain top-tier talent, despite the inherent risks.
Witt’s commitment to the Royals aligns with the team’s broader efforts to strengthen the roster and address pitching concerns. Internal projections place Witt among the top 10 players in baseball, anticipating MVP-level seasons in his future. Witt’s decision to remain with the Royals underscores his dedication to the team’s trajectory, now solidified by the significant and long-term extension.