*Photo from KC Kingdom*
One of the top players of the Kansas City Royals has just been locked up for 4 more years. The Royals and IF/OF Hunter Dozier have agreed to a 4 year, $25 million contract extension, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. There is a team option for a 5th season, with the option worth $10 million, that has a $1 million buyout. There are also $1 million in bonuses as well. The Royals have confirmed the deal.
Royals GM Dayton Moore said of the extension that "It’s our goal to keep as many of our talented players here together as long as we possibly can. Continuity, togetherness is so crucial if we’re going to win and have long-term success. To be able to create that is really important. Dozier was identified as this type of player out of the Draft. Someone who was committed to the team, committed to winning, committed to family, committed to playing this game the right way, so he’s being rewarded for that."
Dozier had a bit of a down season in the Royals lineup in 2020, with a .228 average and a .736 OPS, hitting 6 homers and driving in 12 runs in 44 games for the Royals in the short season. In his 4 seasons, Dozier has a .253 average with a .778 OPS, hitting 43 homers and 131 RBI in 293 games, all with the Royals.
Dozier said of remaining with the Royals that "I’m not a big fan of the business side of baseball. You grow up loving this game just because you love baseball. And then as you get drafted, the business side does come into it, and it’s a blessing because you can provide for your family. So now I can not think about the business side of baseball and really focus on winning and having fun and doing whatever I can to help the team win. And we’re going to do a lot of winning, I can promise you that."
The extension is set to begin this season, and will buyout the last two arbitration eligible seasons for Dozier, and his first two seasons of free agency. Dozier has progressed immensely since he was selected by the Royals with the 8th overall pick in the 2013 draft, and has shown defensive versatility, playing 3rd base, first base, and the outfield in his time with the Royals.
Moore talked about Dozier's versatility, saying that "In today’s game, and what we’re trying to accomplish, it’s really really important to have that versatility and a player with that winning mindset. Hunter is willing to do whatever is necessary to help the team win. We appreciate that so much. We’ve known for a long period of time that Hunter is a foundational piece for our organization."
Dozier's extension is the latest in a series of moves made by the Royals this offseason. The Royals have signed Mike Minor, Michael A Taylor, and Carlos Santana, and acquired Andrew Benintendi from the Red Sox in a 3 team trade.
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