KANSAS City, Mo. — All-Star outfielder Whit MerrifieldAnd the Kansas City RoyalsLate Wednesday, the club and the club reached an agreement on a restructuring of their contract. The club also exercised its option for next year’s season. Both sides also added a mutual option to the 2024 season.
Merrifield, who made his second All Star team last season, will make $7million this season with $2.75m with up to $4,000,000 in escalators. The mutual option can be purchased for $18million with a $500,000 buyout.
Merrifield, 33, hit.277 and had an American League record 40 stolen bases. Merrifield also had 42 doubles. This made him the first AL player to lead both these categories since Charlie Gehringer in 1929. Merrifield was also a big league legend with 40-plus doubles, 40-plus steals and a total of 42 doubles.
Merrifield’s contribution to the Royals goes beyond his baserunning and bat skills. Merrifield, one of the most versatile players in the league, can play first, second, and third bases, as well as all three outfield positions.
Growth of the second baseman Nicky LopezMerrifield will again play in the outfield, as a result of last season’s success and Bobby Witt Jr., a top prospect. It’s where Merrifield will start Thursday’s game against Cleveland. He has now reached 470 consecutive major league games, which is a club record.