Report: Royals, Merrifield near 4-year extension

The Kansas City Royals are close to an agreement with second baseman Whit Merrifield on a four-year contract extension, MLB.com writer Jon Morosi reported Sunday. Merrifield is eligible for salary arbitration after the 2019 season, meaning the extension would cover all three of his arbitration-eligible seasons before he could enter free agency.

According to Morosi's sources, the deal is worth $16.25 million with $2 million in performance bonuses. Merrifield, who turned 30 on Thursday, led the majors in hits (192) and stolen bases (45) last season. He batted .304 with 43 doubles and 88 runs in 158 games.

One of the Royals' most versatile players in 2018, Merrifield started 107 games at second base, 35 in the outfield, 10 at designated hitter and five at first base. Drafted by the Royals in the ninth round in 2010, Merrifield didn't reach the big leagues until he was 27. He played in 81 games as a rookie in 2016 and led the American League with 34 steals in 2017.

--Field Level Media