Tigers sign Colt Keith to a 6-year contract
\n\n”, “providerName”: “Twitter”, “providerUrl”: “https://twitter.com”, “thumbnail_url”:null, “type”: “oembed”, “width”:550, “contentType ::rich It's a sign of the high expectations the Tigers have for Keith, a fifth-round pick from the 2020 draft who settled on Detroit's doorstep last year with a breakout run in the minor leagues. ,{“__typename”: “OEmbed”, “html”:“”, “providerName”: “MLB”, “providerUrl”:null, “thumbnail_url”:null, “type”: “oembed”, “width”: 425, “contentType”: “rich”}, {“__typename” : “Markdown”, “content”: “This is a very exciting day for the Detroit Tigers, Colt, his family and our fans,” Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said in a press release. “Colt has done everything we asked of him in his young career, improving every facet of his game and establishing himself as one of the most promising young players in the game. This contract demonstrates our confidence in Colt and this organization's commitment to attracting, developing and retaining young talent and Double-A Erie. He went 6-6 with two home runs and seven RBIs for Erie on May 16 and played in the All-Star Futures Game in July. ,{“__typename”:”Video”,”contentDate”:”2023-05-17T01:13:05.224Z”,”preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\”preferredPlaybacks\”:\”mp4AvcPlayback\”})”:”https:/ /milb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-05/16/0ef05785-b5cf83d6-b21f2ef2-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4″, “type”: “video”, “description”: “No . 2 Tigers prospect Colt Keith reaches new heights with a cycle and two home runs in a 6-hit, 7-RBI night for Double-A Erie against Harrisburg “,”slug”:”colt-keith-s-incredible- day”,”tags”:[{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”mlb-top-prospects”,”title”:”MLB Top Prospects”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”116-affiliate”,”title”:”Tigers affiliate”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”minor-league-baseball”,”title”:”Minor League Baseball”,”type”:”taxonomy”}],”thumbnail”:{“__typename”: “Thumbnail”, “templateUrl”: https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/jya3epzrwmqkuk4svtkt”},”title” : “Colt Keith's Incredible Day”, “relativeSiteUrl”: “/video/colt-keith-s-incredible-day”}, {“__typename: “Markdown”, “content”: “The Tigers have made no secret of the fact that they wants to give Keith the opportunity to secure a spot in the Opening Day lineup while bypassing the free agent infield market to keep second base open. This deal paves the way for Keith to spend the season with the Tigers “I couldn't be more excited to reach this agreement and secure my place in this organization for years to come,” Keith said in a statement. “Since its formation in 2020, all coaches and staff have been invaluable in helping me and my teammates grow on and off the field. There's a reason why making a long-term commitment to be here is very important to me and the fact of being from incredibly talented Being surrounded by teammates and coaches is a big part of it.\n\n\”I would also like to thank my family, my fiancé, my agent and my friends for their tireless support throughout my life and career. Without them I wouldn't be where I am today. I know this is a big accomplishment, but ultimately my mission is to be the best player possible and help win a World Series championship for Tigers fans around the world.”\n\nSo is the deal a sign of the Tigers' approach with their wave of young talent. Harris has said repeatedly this offseason that he is open to long-term contracts and contract extensions with their younger players. 6-year extension”, “contentType”: “news”, “subHeadline”: “Phenom signs deal before MLB debut; The contract includes club options for 2030-32. “Summary”: “The Tigers made a historic investment in their future on Sunday, signing infield prospect Colt Keith to a long-term contract ahead of his highly anticipated major league debut.\nThe one announced by the Tigers on Sunday morning Contract guarantees the player $28,642,500 over the next six seasons. 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Phenom signs deal before MLB debut; The contract includes club options for 2030-32
January 28, 2024
The Tigers made a historic investment in their future on Sunday, signing infield prospect Colt Keith to a long-term contract ahead of his highly anticipated major league debut.
The contract, announced by the Tigers on Sunday morning, guarantees the player $28,642,500 over the next six seasons. MLB Pipeline is the Tigers' second-best prospect and No. 22 in the MLB. It includes a $2 million signing bonus as well as club options and escalators for 2030 to 2032, which could result in a deal worth $82 million over nine years.
Here's the breakdown of the deal, courtesy of the Tigers:
- 2024: $2.5 million
- 2025: $3.5 million
- 2026: $4 million
- 2027: $4 million
- 2028: $5 million
- 2029: $5 million
- 2030: $10 million club option or $2,642,500 buyout
- 2031: $13 million club option or $1 million buyout
- 2032: $15 million club option or $2 million buyout
It is the largest contract signed by a Tiger before his big league debut. It's also the first contract a Tiger has signed before his MLB debut since major league contracts were barred for draft picks a decade ago. The Tigers had previously signed top picks Justin Verlander, Andrew Miller and Rick Porcello to major league deals from the draft to distribute contract bonuses.
This is a very different deal that gives the Tigers cost certainty and Keith financial security for what will hopefully be a long big league career. It's a sign of the high expectations the Tigers have for Keith, a fifth-round pick from the 2020 draft who settled on Detroit's doorstep last year with a breakthrough in the minor leagues.
“This is a very exciting day for the Detroit Tigers, Colt, his family and our fans,” Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said in a news release. “Colt has done everything we asked of him in his young career, improving every facet of his game and establishing himself as one of the most promising young players in the game. This agreement demonstrates our confidence in Colt and this organization’s commitment to attracting, developing and retaining young talent.”
Keith hit .306 with 38 doubles, 27 home runs, 101 RBIs and a .932 OPS between Triple-A Toledo and Double-A Erie last year. He went 6-for-6 with two home runs and seven RBIs for Erie on May 16 and played in the All-Star Futures Game in July.
The Tigers have made it no secret that they want to give Keith a chance to earn a spot in their Opening Day lineup while bypassing the free agent infield market to keep second base open. This deal paves the way for Keith to open the season with the Tigers.
“I couldn’t be more excited to reach this agreement and secure my place in this organization for years to come,” Keith said in a statement. “Since being drafted in 2020, all of the coaches and staff have been invaluable in helping me and my teammates grow on and off the field. There's a reason I'm passionate about making a long-term commitment to being here, and the fact that I'm surrounded by incredibly talented teammates and coaches is a big part of that.
“I would also like to thank my family, my fiancé, my agent and my friends for their tireless support throughout my life and career. Without them I wouldn't be where I am today. I know this is a big accomplishment, but ultimately, my mission is to be the best player possible and help win a World Series championship for Tigers fans around the world.”
The deal is also a sign of the Tigers' approach with their wave of young talent. Harris has said repeatedly this offseason that he is open to long-term contracts and contract extensions with the younger players.