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The Kansas City Royals are keeping one of their own around for the long haul.<\/p>\n
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On Friday, according to reports, they signed Maikel Garcia<\/a> to a five-year contract extension.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Garcia, 25, enjoyed a breakout season this year. He batted .286 with a career-high 16 homers and 74 RBIs. He also became a first-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove at third base.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ESPN insider Jeff Passan was first to report the contract extension for Garcia. Terms haven\u2019t been disclosed, but the new deal will reportedly include a club option<\/a> for a sixth season, per MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Royals have now re-signed most of their fundamental core. Since Bobby Witt Jr. signed his massive contract<\/a> two years ago, KC has retained pitchers Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha and Cole Ragans and veteran slugger Salvador Perez via new contracts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Garcia is the latest to get a new contract after garnering MVP votes and helping the Royals to an 82-80 record this past season. He rebounded from a dismal 2024 campaign \u2014 which he categorized as the worst of his career \u2014 and became an integral part of the organization\u2019s future.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Garcia represents the Royals\u2019 identity. He plays stellar defense<\/a> and has the versatility to hit anywhere in the lineup. The Royals felt comfortable slotting him into the batting order behind Witt, Pasquantino and Perez and he responded with an .800 OPS (on-base plus slugging) and a 5.8 WAR (wins above replacement).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Royals entered the offseason seeking to bolster their outfield depth. They reportedly signed veteran free-agent Lane Thomas<\/a> on Thursday.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Garcia\u2019s extension is another benchmark for the future of the organization. He is an ascending superstar and now the Royals will retain his services through what should be the prime seasons of his career.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n