The Tigers announced today that they have extended the intramural offer Gould Keith On a six-year deal with club options for the 2030, 2031 and 2032 seasons. Each club option includes salary escalators. The deal guarantees Keith $28.6425MM and could increase to $82MM over nine years if all three options are exercised. Along with the $2MM signing bonus, Keith will receive $2.5MM in salary for the 2024 campaign, $3.5MM in 2025, $4MM per season in 2026 and '27 and $5MM per season in 2028 and '29. Before escalators, the 2030 club option is valued at $10MM with a $2.6425MM buyout, the 2031 option is valued at $13MM with a $1MM buyout, and the 2032 option is valued at $15MM with a $2MM buyout.
Keith, 22, was selected by the Tigers in the fifth round of the 2020 draft and has since risen rapidly through the minor leagues with a .300/.382/.512 slash line across all positions, including .306/.380. /.552 slash line split between Double and Triple A last season in 126 games. Young came into the game as a consensus top-30 prospect MLB.com He finished 22nd Baseball America He got 28th place. President of baseball operations Scott Harris and Keith both commented on the extension in a press release following the announcement.
“This is a very exciting day for the Detroit Tigers, Gould, his family and our fans,” Harris told reporters. “This agreement demonstrates our confidence in Gold and the organization's commitment to acquiring, developing and retaining young talent.”
“I couldn't be more excited to reach this deal and secure my place in the organization for years to come,” Keith added. “There's a reason I feel so strongly about making a long-term commitment to be here, and being surrounded by incredibly talented teammates and coaches is a big part of that… I know it's a big accomplishment, but ultimately my goal is to be the best player in the world and for Tigers fans everywhere. Help win the series championship.
For Keith, the deal gets the 22-year-old a significant drop from the draft after signing for just $500K, while also ensuring he remains a part of Detroit's long-term plans. Finished second in the AL Central last year. For the Tigers, the deal not only provides the club with cost certainty related to Keith's arbitration years, but also gives the team an additional three seasons of team control over the infielder, with three options that could keep him in a Tigers uniform through his age-30 season. Exercise is done. It's the fourth-largest contract in MLB history for a prospect who has yet to make his major league debut, behind guarantees for a White Sox outfielder. Lewis Robert Jr And Eloy Jimenez As well as an outfield prospect, the contract was agreed upon Jackson Surio And the Brewers this winter.
Keith was already expected to join the big league roster as the Tigers' everyday second baseman at some point in the year, but today's deal guarantees he'll be in the lineup on Opening Day if healthy. The deal deprives the Tigers of an opportunity to gain an additional year of team control over the infielder. 2024 and will either win the AL Rookie of the Year award or finish in the top three in MVP voting before he becomes jury eligible.
That leaves the likes of Zach McKinstry as Keith could occupy the keystone for the Tigers entering the season. Nick Madden, Andy IbanezAnd Matt Vierling to compete for playing time at third base when camp opens for spring training next month. When the keys to the status quo are handed over to another great prospect Jace Jung At some point in the future, the 23-year-old has yet to appear at the Triple-A level and is unlikely to break camp with the Tigers. Keith and Jung Figher are the latest in a line of top prospects to reach the majors for the Tigers in recent years, joining starters like Tarik Skubal And Casey Mies As well as hitters Spencer Torkelson And Riley Green.
As their prospects reach the majors and begin to establish themselves at the big league level, the Tigers tend to populate the big league club with short-term veteran additions who won't prevent the club's young players from earning regular playing time. This season, the team struck early to land the outfielder Mark Canha in a deal with the Brewers before bolstering their rotation with deals for free agent right-handers Kenda Meda And Jack Flaherty. The club has added reinforcements to their bullpen in form Andrew Chaffin And Shelby Miller. Those veteran additions bolster the club's growing young core. Sonny Gray Should depart via free agency this winter.
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