Whit Merrifield’s restructured deal gives him some certainty with Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals continue to take advantage of the flexibility Whit Merrifield provides both on and off the field. The latest example came in the form of a contract restructuring on the eve of Opening Day.
The club announced it had agreed to a new deal with Merrifield, a two-time All-Star, on Wednesday evening. The pact included the Royals exercising their 2023 club option on Merrifield’s previous contract and added a mutual option year for 2024.
“I love Kansas City. I think we have a real bright future,” Merrifield said prior to Thursday’s season opener. “I’m excited to be here, at least for the next foreseeable future for now, and to see this organization get back to where it needs to be. That’s winning games.”
Merrifield also said he was happy to get the deal done prior to Opening Day.
The sides touched base on getting something done at the end of last season, but the MLB lockout put talks on hold. They reengaged after the Royals sorted through free agency and arbitration during spring training.
“I just felt like it was the right thing for me to do right now at this point in my career,” Merrifield said. “Other things we talked about are just kind of between me and the team.”
Terms were not disclosed, but the restructured contract will pay Merrifield $7 million this year and $2.75 million next season with $4 million in potential escalators based on him staying healthy, a source with knowledge of the contract told The Star. The 2024 mutual option added Wednesday is $18 million or a $500,000 buyout.
“Whit’s such an integral part of what we’re doing, not only today but the next two years,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “To work with him and really recognize how important he his to our organization, we thought it was the right thing to do and the right time to do it.
“Whit can put that thought, whether or not we’re picking up the option, behind him now and just go play and enjoy the year. And we have some benefit as well. That’s what good partners do. I think we both had something to gain out of it, so we’re just excited and glad it’s done. Now, we can move forward.”
Merrifield, an offensive table-setter from the leadoff spot in the lineup, started his fifth consecutive season opener for the Royals on Thursday. It marked his fourth in a row batting leadoff for the Royals, a first in club history.
He started at right field, one of six positions he’s started at during his career.
Last season, he was the club’s starting second baseman on Opening Day. That was his second time starting at second base for the Royals season opener. He also started at that position in 2018.
But in 2019, he started in right field to allow free-agent acquisition Chris Owings to start at second.
Later that season, Merrifield took over as the regular second baseman only to eventually move to the outfield again to make room for Nicky Lopez at second base. Lopez had been the club’s top performer at Triple-A that season.
“His versatility is so key,” Picollo said. “... Regardless of our current situation, whether it be trade deadline or not, he always fit. If we had a player that was coming up through the minor leagues, his versatility allowed us to bring that player up. We’ve always recognized that.”
This season, Merrifield moved back to right field with Adalberto Mondesi reclaiming his job as the everyday shortstop and Lopez going back to second base.
Last season, Merrifield started 147 games at second base, the most at one position in his career. He finished the season with the third-most defensive runs saved (14) of any player in the majors.
Merrifield also led middle infielders with 103 double plays turned, and he earned recognition as the top defender at his position in the majors from Sports Info Solutions’ annual Fielding Bible Awards.
“It was important to me to get a full season in at second base at some point,” Merrifield said. “I knew if I did get a chance to do that, I could win a Gold Glove. It didn’t happen last year, but I felt like and numbers showed it was right there for me to get. So that was great validation for me and my career.
“If that opportunity comes about again where I can play second for enough time to win a Gold Glove, I think I could do it. Right now, my role is to be in right field. I think I can make some plays happen out there as well.”
