AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
According to reports, the Pittsburgh Pirates and third baseman KeBryan Hayes have agreed to an eight-year, $70 million contract extension.
The deal includes a club option for a ninth season, according to Robert Murray. The six-year, $60 million pact catcher Jason Kendall signed in 2000 is the largest contract in Pirates history.
He is entering his third MLB season. He emerged as one of the best defensive third basemen in the sport last season with six home runs and 38 runs batted in. He projects as a Gold Glove candidate despite his lagging offensive production.
In August of last year, he told Rob that he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh.
I want to win a championship with the team that drafted me. I wasn't really thinking about it when I was going through that contract last year. I was thankful that they considered to offer me an extension before I had played a big-league game. That made me want to work harder. I am not worried about it right now. Just trying to get better.
The Pirates' payroll is among the lowest in baseball, and the deal represents a rare financial commitment from the team. The nickname "Bottom-Line Bob" was earned by Pirates owner Bob Nutting, who has cut costs at every turn.
This deal isn't likely to create much goodwill from Pirates fans, but it could be a sign that Nutting is willing to loosen the purse strings.
Since 2015, the Pirates have not had a winning season.
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