Bobby Witt Jr. will be in Kansas City for a long time after Monday’s announcement.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Royals shortstop signed an 11-year, $288.7 million contract extension and is guaranteed more money than all but 15 players in league history.

The deal comes with opt-outs for the 23-year-old infielder after the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th years, which could allow him to reach free agency again in the latter half of his prime. The Royals are hoping he will be the pillar of their future, and will have a team option for an additional three years if Witt stays through the opt-outs.

The deal comes off Witt’s second season in the majors in which he slugged 30 home runs and swiped 49 bases. He also had a league-high 11 triples as one of two hitters on the team who produced above-league-average results. Edward Olivares did, too, with his 109 OPS+.

Luke’s Take: The Royals have a possible superstar already in the building, and they are wise in keeping him there.

Witt is a rare talent in baseball.

He finished third among all shortstops with 30 home runs, and the two names ahead of him were Corey Seager — a two-time World Series MVP before his 30th birthday — and Francisco Lindor — a four-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger. If that was not enough, Witt also led the position in stolen bases and finished fourth among all base stealers.

The only player to have a better combination than his 30 homers and 49 steals was National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr (41 home runs and 73 steals).

The results are not wholly surprising after he was selected second overall in the 2019 MLB draft, but even the top selections in any draft can falter. Detroit took Casey Mize with the top pick the year before and has yet to receive production from the right-handed starter due to injuries.

Kansas City will have the sixth pick in the 2024 MLB draft and has begun stocking up even before its next swing at top talent. The Royals signed Hunter Renfroe, Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo before Monday’s deal and look to be hungry to improve on a 56-106 record in 2023.

A step forward in 2024 could mean an even greater need for Witt’s production, and his exploits could be the pendulum that swings the team back into contention in the American League Central.

Royals fans are thrilled about the deal. It is hard to argue against their excitement and betting on Witt feels like a no-brainer move.

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Bobby Witt Jr.’s stats through two seasons

Slash: .265/.307/.463

Hits: 327

Doubles: 59

Home runs: 50

Stolen bases: 79