Kevin McGonigle Signs $150M Tigers Contract, Full Salary Breakdown Revealed and Updated Payroll

The Detroit Tigers have joined the flurry of teams extending rookies early this season by signing Kevin McGonigle to a long-term deal.

Detroit announced on Wednesday that it has signed the 21-year-old infielder to an eight-year, guaranteed $150 million contract extension that covers the 2027 to '34 seasons.

The first season of the deal will pay McGonigle $1 million and steadily increasing to at least $23 million for each of the final three years, but escalators could bring the total value up to $160 million.

There was a fun moment at his news conference, as he responded to one of his teammates asking if he's planning on covering the bill for a dinner soon:

Detroit's 2027 payroll when McGonigle's extension kicks in will bump up to $75.2 million, not counting arbitration and pre-arbitration players.

Here is a complete breakdown of McGonigle's guaranteed salary by year under the new deal:

• 2027: $1 million
• 2028: $7 million
• 2029: $16 million
• 2030: $21 million
• 2031: $22 million
• 2032-34: $23 million

The deal also includes a $5 million "assignment bonus" that effectively acts as a trade kicker for "each time the contract is assigned to another major league organization" if he were to get dealt at any point.

This marks the fourth long-term extension signed by a player fewer than three weeks into their MLB career so far this season. Colt Emerson (Seattle Mariners) and Cooper Pratt (Milwaukee Brewers) both signed deals before making their big league debuts.

Konnor Griffin got a nine-year, $140 million extension from the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 8, prior to his sixth game at the MLB level. His deal includes escalators that could push the value up to $150 million, so McGonigle's camp was able to get more in guaranteed money and total value.

Both players will be eligible to hit free agency after the 2034 season. Griffin, who doesn't turn 20 until April 24, will hit the market after his age-28 season. McGonigle will be going into his age-31 season in 2035.

A first-round pick by the Tigers in 2023, McGonigle had a rapid ascent up prospect lists. He started this season as the No. 2 overall prospect, behind Griffin, per MLB.com.

McGonigle made the Tigers' 26-man roster out of spring training. He has wasted no time making a strong impact with a .311/.417/.492 slash line in 17 games to start this season.

The Tigers have split McGonigle's playing time between shortstop and third base. He has shown himself to be adept at either position, but Javier Báez has been playing more in center field recently to free up shortstop.