Whit Merrifield will be remaining in Kansas City.
The team announced Monday that Merrifield has agreed to a new four-year deal with a club option for a fifth season.
Multiple reports Sunday said the deal is worth $16.25 million with the possibility for $2 million more in performance bonuses. The contract buys out his last pre-arbitration year as we all three years of arbitration, and the 2023 option is worth $10.5 million according to ESPN.com.We have signed IF/OF Whit Merrifield to a multi-year contract through 2022, with a club option for the 2023 season. pic.twitter.com/y1QHmS7ks5
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) January 28, 2019
Merrifield, 30, had a .304/.367/.438 slash line in 158 games with Kansas City last season, leading the majors in hits (192) and stolen bases (45). He also had 12 home runs and 60 RBIs.
Merrifield, who primarily played second base last year, holds a .293 career batting average over three MLB seasons. He also played 39 games in the outfield for the Royals in 2018.
The Royals finished 58-104 in 2018 and last made the postseason when they won the World Series in 2015.