OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Fountains Up -- A Kansas City Royals Franchise

3Bplay · 09-21-2025, 11:41 PM

MLB NEWS WIRE
McKinstry, Ward sign extensions; Boston's Anthony could miss first round of postseason

By MLB.com staff
09/15/2025

9/12 -- McKinstry, Tigers agree to extension: The string of high-profile contract extensions continued on Thursday, with the Tigers announcing an extension with All-Star infielder Zach McKinstry.

Detroit will buy out the final two years of his arbitration eligibility, plus two years of free agency at $17.5 million per year in 2028 and 2029. His salary hit is $4.6 million for 2026, followed by an $8.2 million hit for 2027. His deal includes a $4 million signing bonus.

A first-time All-Star this season, McKinstry has played seven different positions with the exception of catcher and center field. He has a career-high fourteen homeruns this season, posting another career-best in OPS with an .821 mark (129 OPS+).

9/13 -- Boston's Anthony could be out two to three weeks: The playoff status of Boston rookie phenom Roman Anthony has been thrown into doubt, as the outfielder has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained hamstring, suffered while legging out a double during Tuesday night's game.

The Red Sox re-called infielder Kristian Campbell to take his spot on the roster. Another heralded Red Sox rookie who received an extension recently, Campbell has not had quite the season as a consensus Top 50 prospect coming into the season, but gives them a bit more versatility defensively than Anthony, who is an outfielder-only.

While it's not expected that he would miss the entire postseason should the AL East-leading Red Sox advance past the ALDS, it is a coinflip at this point if he'll even be available for that series. Even though it is not mathematically official yet, the Red Sox are a near-lock to win the AL East and take one of the two first-round byes, along with Detroit.

"It's a tough break for him, but thankfully we have guys that can step in and keep us going from that spot," said manager Alex Cora. "Really, the injured list placement is just as a precaution and to give him some time off before the postseason run."

9/14 -- Another free-agent-to-be off the board: One of the most coveted upcoming free agents is off the board after signing an extension, as slugger Taylor Ward is going to return to the Angels next season and for the following three seasons after that.

Ward agreed to a four-year, $82 million extension with the club as he ranks in the top ten league-wide in homeruns (42) and is in the top five in RBI (110). Despite having enough service time to reach free agency if he would remain on the active roster the rest of the season, he'll bring in just $10.4 million next season before getting a massive raise for the next three seasons, earning $24 million for 2027, 2028, and 2029.

Normally an outfielder, Ward has also played some first base as well as getting some at-bats while serving as the team's designated hitter. Fangraphs had pegged Ward in the offseason as getting a five-year deal worth $130 million, so the Angels are actually getting a significant underpay in terms of AAV per Fangraphs.

09-21-2025, 11:41 PM	#18
3Bplay Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 326	MLB News (09/12 -- 09/14) MLB NEWS WIRE McKinstry, Ward sign extensions; Boston's Anthony could miss first round of postseason By MLB.com staff 09/15/2025 9/12 -- McKinstry, Tigers agree to extension: The string of high-profile contract extensions continued on Thursday, with the Tigers announcing an extension with All-Star infielder Zach McKinstry. Detroit will buy out the final two years of his arbitration eligibility, plus two years of free agency at $17.5 million per year in 2028 and 2029. His salary hit is $4.6 million for 2026, followed by an $8.2 million hit for 2027. His deal includes a $4 million signing bonus. A first-time All-Star this season, McKinstry has played seven different positions with the exception of catcher and center field. He has a career-high fourteen homeruns this season, posting another career-best in OPS with an .821 mark (129 OPS+). 9/13 -- Boston's Anthony could be out two to three weeks: The playoff status of Boston rookie phenom Roman Anthony has been thrown into doubt, as the outfielder has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained hamstring, suffered while legging out a double during Tuesday night's game. The Red Sox re-called infielder Kristian Campbell to take his spot on the roster. Another heralded Red Sox rookie who received an extension recently, Campbell has not had quite the season as a consensus Top 50 prospect coming into the season, but gives them a bit more versatility defensively than Anthony, who is an outfielder-only. While it's not expected that he would miss the entire postseason should the AL East-leading Red Sox advance past the ALDS, it is a coinflip at this point if he'll even be available for that series. Even though it is not mathematically official yet, the Red Sox are a near-lock to win the AL East and take one of the two first-round byes, along with Detroit. "It's a tough break for him, but thankfully we have guys that can step in and keep us going from that spot," said manager Alex Cora. "Really, the injured list placement is just as a precaution and to give him some time off before the postseason run." 9/14 -- Another free-agent-to-be off the board: One of the most coveted upcoming free agents is off the board after signing an extension, as slugger Taylor Ward is going to return to the Angels next season and for the following three seasons after that. Ward agreed to a four-year, $82 million extension with the club as he ranks in the top ten league-wide in homeruns (42) and is in the top five in RBI (110). Despite having enough service time to reach free agency if he would remain on the active roster the rest of the season, he'll bring in just $10.4 million next season before getting a massive raise for the next three seasons, earning $24 million for 2027, 2028, and 2029. Normally an outfielder, Ward has also played some first base as well as getting some at-bats while serving as the team's designated hitter. Fangraphs had pegged Ward in the offseason as getting a five-year deal worth $130 million, so the Angels are actually getting a significant underpay in terms of AAV per Fangraphs.