Vinnie Pasquantino, Royals Lock In Multi-Year Deal to Avoid Arbitration Drama
The Kansas City Royals and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino have sidestepped the arbitration table, agreeing to a two-year deal worth over $11 million. It's a move that not only brings financial clarity but also signals a mutual commitment between the club and one of its rising stars.
Pasquantino, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason, had been projected to earn $5.4 million in 2026. Instead of letting the process play out in a hearing room - where things can get tense, and sometimes personal - both sides found common ground.
The agreement covers the 2026 and 2027 seasons, with a base salary of $4.2 million in the first year and $6.9 million in the second. But that’s just the floor.
There’s real incentive upside baked into the deal. Pasquantino can tack on an additional $200,000 in 2027 for hitting plate appearance benchmarks at 450, 500, and 550. That’s a nod to his ability to stay healthy and productive across a full season - something the Royals clearly value.
But the big swing comes with awards-based escalators. If Pasquantino breaks through in 2026 and finds himself in the MVP conversation, his 2027 salary could jump significantly.
A first-place MVP finish would add $4 million. Even a top-five finish could push his salary up by $3 million, while making the top 10 would net him $2 million.
The escalators continue on a sliding scale all the way down to a 16th-to-20th place finish, which would still trigger a $1.25 million bump.
There’s also recognition for All-MLB honors. A first-team selection would add $1 million, while second team comes with a $750,000 bonus. All told, Pasquantino could take home as much as $4.6 million in incentives in 2027, bringing the total potential value of the deal close to $16 million.
This kind of structure is a win-win. The Royals lock in cost certainty for a key piece of their lineup, and Pasquantino gets a chance to significantly boost his earnings - not just by showing up, but by showing out.
It also avoids the uncertainty and potential strain of the arbitration process. While arbitration is a standard part of MLB’s business model, it’s not always the smoothest ride.
Teams present arguments that often focus on a player’s shortcomings, and even though it’s not personal, it can feel that way. Just ask Corbin Burnes, who openly voiced frustration with the Brewers after his hearing a few years back.
By agreeing to this multi-year pact, Kansas City and Pasquantino avoid that minefield entirely. The deal covers the first two of his three arbitration-eligible seasons, with one more to go in 2028 before he hits free agency.
League-wide, this agreement trims the number of unresolved arbitration cases. At the filing deadline, 18 players remained without deals.
Since then, Cade Cavalli, Bryce Miller, Joe Ryan, and now Pasquantino have all reached agreements. That leaves 14 potential hearings still on the books across MLB.
The Royals, for their part, still have one more case to settle. Left-hander Kris Bubic hasn’t yet come to terms with the team.
He filed at $6.15 million, while the club countered at $5.15 million. Whether that ends in a hearing or another late agreement remains to be seen.
For now, though, Kansas City has locked in a cornerstone bat - and done it in a way that keeps the relationship strong and the focus where it belongs: on the field.