Former Gamecock Merrifield gets new deal from Kansas City Royals

After career-best season, Whit Merrifield is getting a new contract from the Kansas City Royals, the team announced Monday.

According to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, Merrifield’s contract extension is for four years, worth $16.25 million. Merrifield made $569,500 last season. The deal also includes a club option for 2023.

The breakdown of the deal is $1 million in 2019, $5 million in ‘20, $6.75 million in ‘21 and $2.75 million in ‘22 or a $750,000 club-option buyout, according to Morosi.

“It’ll change my family’s life for the rest of our lives in that regard,” Merrifield told reporters Monday at a press conference at Kauffman Stadium. “It doesn’t really change anything for me on the field. I never started playing this game to be a millionaire. It’s not why I put on cleats. It was to compete.”

In 2018, Merrifield hit. 304 and led the American League in hits (192) and stolen bases (45). He hit 12 homers with 60 RBI and made just six errors at second base.

Merrifield also played first base and the outfield for the Royals last season.

This story was originally published January 28, 2019 at 9:42 AM.