Tigers Hand Out Massive 6-Year Contract

The Detroit Tigers have handed out a few big offseason deals in the past, but never one of this size before to a player who hadn't played a single game in the majors. Top prospect Colt Keith, who'll debut this season, has been handed a six-year deal worth $28.6 million. 

Big pre-debut deal: The Detroit Tigers have locked up top prospect Colt Keith through 2032, guaranteeing him $28.6M for six years with club options worth $10M, $13M and $15M. There are another $15M or so in potential escalators. He should be Detroit’s Opening Day second baseman.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 28, 2024

The deal is fully guaranteed for baseball's No. 22 overall prospect, and according to insider Jeff Passan, there are additional club options for three more seasons, which could bring the total to $64 million over nine years, through 2032. As well, potential escalators in the contract could bring the total value to a whopping $82 million. A pretty good deal for a 5th-round pick in the 2020 Draft. 

This past season, Keith hit a robust .325 at Double-A Erie with 14 home runs and 50 RBIs in 59 games. He was promoted to Triple-A Toledo in late June and didn't miss a beat, batting .287 with 13 more long balls and 51 RBIs in 67 games. He had an overall OPS of .932.

Keith is expected to win the second base job on Opening Day, as the Tigers hope their youth movement takes some big strides in 2024, as they look to snap a 7-year run of sub-.500 records. They haven't made the playoffs for nine straight seasons. 

The 22-year-old joins other former elite prospects on the Tigers roster in first baseman Spencer Torkelson, 24, and outfielder Riley Greene, 23.  

Photo: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK