The Kansas City Royals have agreed to a new deal with third baseman Hunter Dozier over the weekend. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the deal will see Dozier earn $25 million in the next four years.
The deal will start in 2021, buying out the player’s arbitration years, with a team option for 2026 that is worth $10 million. Dozier will reportedly also have an opportunity to earn more money through bonuses and escalators.
Dozier previously inked a one-year, $2.72 million deal with Kansas City for the 2021 season, but this contract will also be replaced with the new one.
Dozier had a rough 2020 campaign, missing the first part of the season due to COVID-19 and then struggling to get in form when he returned. He finished the year with a .228 batting average while hitting six homers and adding 12 RBIs in 44 games.
Despite last year’s hiccup, the Royals obviously believe that Dozier can be part of their long-term future. Their optimism comes from his 2019 breakthrough campaign when he led the AL in triples with 10 while batting .279 with 26 home runs and 84 RBIs.
For Dozier, who was Royals’ first-round pick in 2013, it was a no-brainer to take this deal. Despite forgoing the ability to explore the free-agent market or get a salary boost with better performances, the 29-year-old veteran gets financial security and can concentrate on getting his form back to the level it was in 2019.
