Overview
- Sources say the first baseman’s contract guarantees more than $11 million and could approach $16 million with incentives.
- The agreement has not been formally announced by Kansas City and remains contingent on a physical.
- The deal covers the 2026 and 2027 arbitration seasons, with Pasquantino still eligible for arbitration in 2028 before free agency in 2029.
- Before settling, the sides had filed at $4.5 million for the player and $4.0 million for the club for 2026, and the new deal offers short‑term payroll clarity.
- The settlement further reduces MLB’s arbitration docket to no more than 14 hearings, while the Royals still face a potential case with left-hander Kris Bubic ($6.15 million vs. $5.15 million).