SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Bryan Woo #33 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after he was pulled from the game by manager Scott Servais #9 during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on September 12, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Another young star player locked in a long-term contract on Monday, with Bobby Witt Jr. securing an 11-year deal with the Royals. While we wait for the remaining top free agents, the reliever market has been the most active of any position this winter. The Mariners landed another quality reliever, acquiring Gregory Santos from the White Sox. And the Yankees made a trade with the Dodgers to bolster their bullpen, getting Caleb Ferguson. Let’s break it all down.
Royals Sign Bobby Witt Jr. to 11-year, $288.7 million contract
The Royals have secured their star shortstop for the next decade, signing Bobby Witt Jr. to an 11-year, $288.7 million contract extension. It’s the largest contract in franchise history, locking the 23-year-old superstar in through his age-34 season. The deal does include opt-outs after each of the final four seasons and a club option for three additional years and $89 million, for a total potential value of $377 million. Witt Jr. is coming off an incredible season, hitting .276/.319/.495 with 30 homers, 97 runs, 96 RBI, and 49 steals across 694 plate appearances.
After going 20/30 with a .254 batting average as a rookie in 2022, his value as a first-round hitter in rotisserie leagues hinged on him making strides in his power and batting average. In his second season, he fully broke out, improving across the board for elite five-category production. Witt Jr. made more contact, chased fewer pitches, and hit the ball harder. While his near-700 plate appearances aided his season output, his 17.4 percent strikeout, 11.5 percent barrel, and 45.4 percent hard-hit rates support the production and hint at more batting average upside, solidifying Witt Jr. as a top-three pick in most fantasy formats.
