Royals, Merrifield agree to 4-year extension
The Kansas City Royals agreed to a four-year contract extension with second baseman Whit Merrifield on Monday, the team announced.
The deal is worth $16.25 million and contains another $2 million in performance bonuses, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com. A fifth-year club option could push the contract's total value above $30 million, Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports reports.
Merrifield: 4year- $16.25M guaranteed
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 28, 2019
+2M in salary escalators
+1.6M in potential bonuses.19.85MM achievable in the 4 year guarantee. 5th year option $10.5M with $750k buyout
+1M in salary escalators
+400k in potential bonuses
$11.9M achievable in option year
$31.75M possible
The contract will cover Merrifield's three years of arbitration eligibility that would have begun next winter, plus his final pre-arbitration season in 2019. If the Royals exercise their club option, he won't reach free agency until after the 2023 season.
Merrifield, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Thursday, just completed the best season of his three-year major-league career. The South Carolina native became only the third player since World War II to lead the majors in hits (192) and stolen bases (45). He also slashed .304/.367/.438 with 12 homers, 43 doubles, 60 RBIs, and 61 walks over 158 games. He received MVP votes for the first time, finishing 17th in voting for the AL's top individual honor.
Merrifield was the Royals' primary second baseman in 2018, though he also continued to serve as a versatile utility man. He made 30 appearances in center field in 2018 and started at least once at five different positions.