The Royals reportedly lock up third baseman Maikel Garcia through his prime years for $57.5 million. At seasonal age 25, Garcia posted a break out year, both on offense and defense, posting a 5.6 fWAR. He brought down his strikeout rate for the second season in a row, raising his walk rate, raised his isolated power, and improved his BABIP. While the high WAR of 2025 might not be repeatable, he looks like a solid two to three WAR player through his prime. The Royals could see him generate 15 WAR during the guaranteed part of the contract for one third of the free agent cost.
The Royals executed the perfect plan for getting the most our of a player for the least amount of money. They limited his playing time early so that that could control him for seven, rather than six seasons. He did wind up a super two, facing four seasons of arbitration. The Royals bought those out, avoiding contentious hearings with the player and the work of going through that process every year. He is controlled through his age 30 season.
According to a source, Garcia will make $4 million in 2026 (what would have been his first arbitration year), $7 million in ‘27, $10 million in ‘28, $13 million in ‘29 and $19 million in ‘30. The club option is for $21 million. There are other escalators in the 2030 and ‘31 seasons. The deal also includes a signing bonus and a $3.2 million buyout on the club option to get to the $57.5 million guarantee.
MLB.com
If he’s still playing well, the Royals get another year at a very good price. If Garcia becomes a free agent, his best years will be behind him, and the contract he receives would be somewhat less than if he hit free agency at the height of his prime.
Of course, no matter what happens, Garcia receives enough money to be set for life.
It’s deals like this that I believe should lead to shortening the time to free agency. One way that would help players like Garcia, who started their professional careers at a young age, would be counting time in the minors. Maybe service time counts for nothing at rookie ball, 1/8 in A ball, 1/4 in AA, 1/2 at AAA. Players would get to arbitration faster, and more importantly, more likely to reach free agency in their primes when they are more likely to get a bigger contract.
Unfortunately, the MLBPA will be obsessed with preventing a salary cap rather than helping younger players make more money.
Here’s a deal. The MLBPA proposes a cap of 10% more than the top payroll the previous season for full minor league service time counting toward arbitration and free agency, with a five year waiting period. Then be willing to negotiate to a 5% increase, partial service time in the minors, with the free agency period remaining at six seasons with no free agent compensation.
The owners get a win because the word “Cap” is in the CBA, but the players get a bigger win as they shift free agency to a younger age, which should lead to bigger contracts, with plenty of room under the cap for most teams.