Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. agrees to massive $288.8M contract extension with Royals

2025-04-19 22:09:23 source: category:Contact

The Kansas City Royals have made shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. the highest-paid player in franchise history.

The team announced Monday that Witt agreed to an 11-year contract extension, with three additional team options that could keep him in a Royals uniform through the 2037 season.

A person with direct knowledge of the details confirmed to USA TODAY Sports the initial 11-year pact will be worth just under $288.77 million (approximately $26.25 million AAV), with an additional $89 million possible if all three options are exercised. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because terms of the contract were not released publicly.

Witt also has the ability to opt out of the contract each year from 2030 to 2033.

Witt, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft, had a breakout year in 2023, his first full season as Kansas City's everyday shortstop. He hit .276 with 30 home runs and 49 stolen bases — and finished seventh in the American League MVP voting.

HOT STOVE UPDATES: MLB free agency: Ranking and tracking the top players available.

Witt, 23, is the son of former major league pitcher Bobby Witt, who played 16 seasons with seven different teams and won a World Series ring in his final year as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Contributing: Bob Nightengale

More:Contact

Recommend

Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look

A modern version of The Skins Game is returning to Thanksgiving week.Pro Shop, the new golf media co

Recalled applesauce pouches now linked to more than 200 lead poisoning cases in 33 states, CDC says

Health authorities are now investigating at least 205 cases of lead poisonings across 33 different s

Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas' tops Billboard's Hot 100 for fifth year in a row

The Queen of Christmas reigns.Mariah Carey's iconic Christmas medley "All I Want for Christmas Is Yo