Signing(s): Bobby Witt Jr. signs extension with the Royals (11 years, $288.7 million)

[MMC]

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[Marc the Habs Fan]

The contract will allow Witt to opt out after the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th years, sources said. It also includes a club option after the 11th season that would tack on three years and $89 million to the contract, giving it a 14-year, $377 million ceiling.

I am going to predict right now, he will opt-out after that 7th season. Good for Royals fans that they got him to commit for 3 free agent years though.

 

[SoupNazi]

Will you look at that - small markets can extend players.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Will you look at that - small markets can extend players.

They just choose not to

 

[MMC]

 

[Elvis P]

Richest KC deal ever.

 

[HisIceness]

Congrats to Bibby Watt

(If you watch FinnFTW on YouTube you'll get this reference)

 

[Neutrinos]

It feels like the Jays are the only team that didn't sign their homegrown talent to long term deals

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

It feels like the Jays are the only team that didn't sign their homegrown talent to long term deals

usually it's the pirates.

 

[GKJ]

The Kansas City Royals are here to spend money

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

SS of his talent don't come along often, and Royals need a face of franchise, so it makes plenty of sense.

Sure, there is risk but locking up a player like that is important for a small market team

 

[GKJ]

Will you look at that - small markets can extend players.

As long as they’re trying to get new stadiums

 

[BKarchitect]

As long as they’re trying to get new stadiums

Bingo.

He’s a pretty extraordinary talent though and really blossomed last year. True 5-tool star. It’s hard to blame the Royals for throwing the bag at him. He’s worth it. Whether they can actually build the rest of the franchise into something resembling a contender in the next 5 years is very much a question mark.

 

[BSHH]

SS of his talent don't come along often, and Royals need a face of franchise, so it makes plenty of sense.

Sure, there is risk but locking up a player like that is important for a small market team

But isn't it rather much risk and less reward potential for the Royals? I have no doubt that Witt is a superstar and will likely be a 4+ WAR player throughout the course of this extension. But with $ 35m/y in what would have been his FA years, he has a nice salary ready locked up. This does not seem like a huge bargain to me and any longer IL stint might skew the math.

Gruß,
BSHH

 

[Filthy Dangles]

But isn't it rather much risk and less reward potential for the Royals? I have no doubt that Witt is a superstar and will likely be a 4+ WAR player throughout the course of this extension. But with $ 35m/y in what would have been his FA years, he has a nice salary ready locked up. This does not seem like a huge bargain to me and any longer IL stint might skew the math.

Gruß,
BSHH

It's not about being a bargain or below market, it's about locking up the player long term before he makes his price tag absurdly high.

he should be worth the contract easily

 

[Voight]

I am going to predict right now, he will opt-out after that 7th season. Good for Royals fans that they got him to commit for 3 free agent years though.

Not a very bold take. He'll be 30 then, just in time to cash in on another long term lucrative contract.