‘I love this organization’: Bobby Witt Jr. talks possible Royals contract extension

The Kansas City Royals have a lot of questions to answer heading into a pivotal 2023 offseason. The Royals look to add veteran free agents and improve following a disappointing 56-106 season.

However, there is one question that looms over the franchise. Will the Royals be able to sign star infielder Bobby Witt Jr. to a long-term extension?

Witt, 23, is one of Major League Baseball’s top young stars. He recently became the first player to record at least 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases in his first two seasons to begin a career. Witt also joined the exclusive 30-30 club and had a jersey placed in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Royals are in a unique position. Witt has yet to enter arbitration and is not slated to reach free agency until the 2028 season. However, several MLB teams have already extended their young stars early.

The Atlanta Braves have extended outfielders Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris and pitcher Spencer Strider. Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners have inked Julio Rodriguez to a long-term extension. The Arizona Diamondbacks did the same with Corbin Carroll.

Witt shed light on some contract discussions with the Royals. He made clear that his goal is to get ready for the 2024 season while remaining in the present moment.

“I think there is some talks here and there, so we’re just kind of waiting to see,” Witt said. “I love this organization and love this team. It’s just kind of one of those things. If the time is right, the time’s right.”

The Royals have a young nucleus that continues to develop. Witt is at the forefront after being selected second overall in the 2019 MLB Draft. He anchors the Royals infield alongside teammates Maikel Garcia, Michael Massey and Vinnie Pasquantino.

Royals general manager J.J. Picollo would like to keep Witt long term. In October, he said the team is working to secure a contract extension.

“So, we are working on that,” Picollo said. “I don’t really want to comment on it more than that (it’s) a goal of ours. It would be exciting to do so, as he is a special player. We want to keep special players in our uniform.”

Witt heads into the 2024 season looking to build off his historic campaign. He noted his love for Kansas City and his desire to remain with the team that drafted him.

“This is the organization that I got drafted by and an organization that I came up with,” Witt said. “They are all I have known really. The goal would be to just win the World Series for the city of Kansas City, for the fans and for everyone. Just all the people that we’ve kind of came up with and everything that just makes things a lot more special.”

The Royals and Witt have time to come to an agreement. For now, the questions surrounding his contract extension will continue to loom as the Royals look to finish their rebuild and compete for a postseason berth.