How long Is Whit Merrifield Contract?

Merrifield signed a four-year agreement with Kansas City in January 2019 that guaranteed him $16.25 million.



Merrifield’s status as a late bloomer was reflected in the low price tag, as he didn’t break camp on an Opening Day roster until 2017 when he was 28 years old.

Whit Merrifield
Whit Merrifield

According to MLBTR, Merrifield’s escalators are based on the number of days he spends on the disabled list. He’ll get the entire $6.75MM in 2023 if he spends less than 110 days on the IL this year.



This evening, the Royals announced that infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield has agreed to a restructured contract.

The club has activated his team option for the 2023 season in advance, and the parties have added a mutual option for the 2024 season.

Warner Sports Management manages Merrifield’s career. The financial breakdown of the transaction is reported by MLB.com’s Anne Rogers (on Twitter). Merrifield will earn $7 million in 2022 and $2.75 million in 2023 (plus $4 million in escalators).

A $18 million mutual option for 2024 with a $500k buyout is also included in the deal.

With no path to free agency until his mid-thirties, Merrifield chose to lock in some guaranteed earnings in order to keep his salary from growing too much through arbitration.

Merrifield was set to make $3.25 million this year under the rules of his previous front-loaded contract, with a $7 million club option for 2023 assuming he avoided a lengthy trip on the injured list.

The renegotiate, as Mark Feinsand of MLB.com notes (via Twitter), more fairly divides the team’s responsibilities over the next two years, paying Merrifield more up-front while freeing up budget space for next season.