Pasquantino locks in with Kansas City for two years.
The Kansas City Royals and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino have reached an agreement on a new deal that will keep both sides out of arbitration for the next two seasons.
The two-year contract is worth more than $11 million guaranteed and can reach close to $16 million with incentives, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com.
Pasquantino and left-hander Kris Bubic were the only two Royals players who had not reached a deal before the arbitration deadline earlier this month, and both appeared headed for a hearing.
In that exchange, Pasquantino filed at $4.5 million while the Royals filed at $4 million, but the two sides were able to work out a compromise that works for everyone.
What Pasquantino Means to Kansas City
The 28-year-old left-handed hitter has become one of the most important players in the Royals organization over the past few years, and he proved that again during his breakout 2025 campaign.
He hit .264 with a .323 on-base percentage and a .475 slugging percentage while playing in 160 games, which tied Maikel Garcia for the team lead in appearances.
Pasquantino also set career highs with 32 home runs and 113 RBIs, with the latter mark ranking sixth in all of Major League Baseball.
Those numbers came after Pasquantino missed significant time in 2024 due to a right thumb fracture, so his ability to stay healthy and produce at such a high level was exactly what the Royals needed as they finished the season with an 82-80 record and a third-place finish in the AL Central.
Looking Ahead to 2026
This deal gives the Royals some payroll certainty moving forward as they try to push back into postseason contention after narrowly missing the playoffs last year.
Kansas City has been active this offseason, adding outfielders Lane Thomas and Isaac Collins while also signing third baseman Maikel Garcia to a long-term extension worth $57.5 million over five years.
Pasquantino has also shown he is excited about the team's decision to move the outfield fences in at Kauffman Stadium for the upcoming season.
The power alleys will shrink from 389 feet to 379 feet, which could lead to even more home runs for a player who already finished tied for 17th in the majors in that category last year.
He joked on social media about the change, writing "Ohhhh noooo more home runs less triples I'm bummed" when a podcast mentioned he might see a decline in triples because of the new dimensions.
Beyond his production at the plate, Pasquantino has grown into a respected clubhouse leader who is known for his preparation and willingness to mentor younger teammates on the roster.
He remains under team control through the 2028 season before he is set to reach free agency, and this new deal locks him in as the everyday first baseman while giving him a chance to earn a big raise in his final year of arbitration eligibility.