Pittsburgh Pirates Rumors: Bucs Reportedly Sign Starling Marte To Six-Year Extension
By Matt Shetler
Mar 16, 2014; Clearwater, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) runs the bases in the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in a spring training exhibition at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Earlier in the week I looked at the fact that the Pittsburgh Pirates and young left fielder Starling Marte were in discussions on a possible contract extension.
It didn’t take long for both sides to get things worked out.
According to multiple reports, the Pirates and Marte have agreed on a six-year extension that will pay the 25-year-old a total of $31 million.
The club reportedly offered Marte an extension Monday, and it appears the two sides have been hammering out details since then.
Marte hit an impressive .280/.343/.441 in 510 at-bats last year. He also stole 41 bases. The contract also includes at least one option year, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. The deal is pending a physical.
Pirates and starling marte agree on 6-year extension. Includes at least 1 optoon year as well. Pending physical.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 26, 2014
Recent reports suggested that Marte had declined two different offers from the team, one of which was for six years. The deal is huge for the Pirates as it gives them seven years of control over Marte.
It not only lets the Pirates avoid arbitration with Marte, but it also bought out his first two years of free agency.
Marte, who has just 1.070 years of service time, had been set to reach arbitration in 2016 and free agency in 2019.
The deal also ensures that the Pirates could have one of the best outfields in all of baseball for a lengthy period. Marte and Andrew McCutchen are now locked up for a long time and prized prospect Gregory Polanco will likely make his major league debut this season.