Contractual Details: Bobby Witt Contract
Bobby witt contract – Bobby Witt Jr.’s contract with the Kansas City Royals is a six-year, $24.5 million deal that includes a $7.5 million signing bonus. The contract also includes performance bonuses that could increase its total value to $33.5 million.
Witt’s base salary for the 2023 season is $1 million, and it will increase to $2 million in 2024, $3 million in 2025, $4 million in 2026, $5 million in 2027, and $6 million in 2028.
So, Bobby Witt Jr. just signed a massive contract extension with the Royals. Wild, right? But hey, if you’re looking for another young player who’s been raking, check out Alec Bohm. The Phillies third baseman has been crushing homers lately, and he’s only 26! With Witt and Bohm in the league, the future of baseball looks bright.
Back to Witt’s contract, it’s a huge investment for the Royals, but if he continues to play like he has been, it’ll be worth every penny.
In addition to his base salary, Witt is also eligible for performance bonuses. He can earn up to $1 million in bonuses each year for reaching certain milestones, such as playing in a certain number of games, getting a certain number of hits, or winning a Gold Glove Award.
Key Provisions
The contract also includes several key provisions, such as a performance escalator and a club option.
The performance escalator states that Witt’s base salary will increase by $1 million each year if he meets certain performance thresholds. For example, if Witt plays in 150 games in a season, his base salary will increase by $1 million the following year.
The club option gives the Royals the option to extend Witt’s contract for an additional year at a salary of $10 million.
So, Bobby Witt Jr. just signed a massive contract, huh? Wild. I wonder if he’ll ever play in a stadium as big as the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami? That place has a hard rock stadium capacity of over 65,000! Imagine the roar of the crowd when Witt hits a home run there.
Anyway, back to his contract…
Salary Table
| Year | Base Salary | Bonuses | Incentives |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1 million | $1 million | $1 million |
| 2024 | $2 million | $1 million | $1 million |
| 2025 | $3 million | $1 million | $1 million |
| 2026 | $4 million | $1 million | $1 million |
| 2027 | $5 million | $1 million | $1 million |
| 2028 | $6 million | $1 million | $1 million |
Comparison to Other Players
Bobby Witt’s contract ranks among the top shortstop deals in MLB history. Let’s compare it to the contracts of other elite shortstops to understand its value and the factors that influenced its terms.
One key factor is Witt’s age. At 22, he’s one of the youngest players to sign a long-term contract of this magnitude. His potential and track record suggest he has a bright future, which likely contributed to the hefty deal.
Contract Length
- Witt’s 14-year contract is the longest ever for a shortstop.
- Francisco Lindor’s 10-year, $341 million deal with the Mets is the second-longest.
- Trea Turner’s 11-year, $300 million contract with the Phillies is also notable.
Salary, Bobby witt contract
- Witt’s average annual salary of $24 million is comparable to Lindor’s $34.1 million and Turner’s $27.3 million.
- However, Witt’s contract includes escalators that could increase his salary significantly in later years.
Incentives
- Witt’s contract includes incentives for MVP, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger awards.
- These incentives could add millions to his overall earnings if he continues to perform at a high level.
Overall Value
- Witt’s contract is valued at approximately $330 million, making it one of the most expensive shortstop contracts in MLB history.
- The long length, high salary, and potential incentives indicate the Royals’ belief in Witt’s abilities and their commitment to building around him.
Impact on the Kansas City Royals
Bobby Witt’s new contract has significant financial implications for the Kansas City Royals. The 10-year, $330 million deal is the largest in team history and will have a major impact on the team’s payroll and salary structure.
The Royals have a relatively low payroll, so Witt’s contract will represent a significant increase in spending. In 2022, the Royals had a payroll of just over $100 million, which ranked 27th in Major League Baseball. Witt’s contract will increase the team’s payroll by more than 30%, making the Royals a more competitive team in the free agent market.
Payroll and Salary Structure
Witt’s contract will also affect the team’s salary structure. Prior to signing Witt, the Royals had a relatively balanced salary structure, with no players making more than $20 million per year. Witt’s contract will now make him the highest-paid player on the team, and it is likely that other players will demand higher salaries in the future.
Future Financial Flexibility
The Royals’ long-term financial flexibility will also be impacted by Witt’s contract. The 10-year deal will tie up a significant portion of the team’s budget for the next decade. This could make it difficult for the Royals to sign other free agents or make other major financial commitments in the future.
