The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed Josh Harrison to a long-term deal, extending him through the 2018 season, with club options for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Terms of the deal haven’t been announced yet. Harrison was already under contract for the 2015 season, and was under control through the 2017 season. This deal buys out one of his free agent years, and control of two others via club options. Since it was announced as a four-year deal, it’s likely that his $2.8 M salary this year was re-worked as part of the extension.
Harrison had a big breakout season in 2014, and is now the starting third baseman in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are obviously betting that this wasn’t a fluke, and that he can be their third baseman for the long-term. They don’t have many third base prospects in the system, with the best options currently in A-ball. None of those options are true third basemen, as the Pirates have moved several athletic players to the position in the last two years (Wyatt Mathisen moved from catcher in 2014, and Jordan Luplow and Connor Joe will move from the outfield this year).
If the Pirates do eventually get a replacement for Harrison at third, they could always move him to another position, or put him back in the Super Utility role that he excelled at in 2014.
UPDATE 12:22 PM: Harrison receives $27.3 M, and could earn $50 M if his options are exercised, according to Ken Rosenthal:
Harrison deal with #Pirates: Four years, $27.3M, chance to earn $50M if options are exercised. Represented by Jonathan Maurer.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 8, 2015
Rob Biertempfel has the breakdown of the deal:
#Pirates Harrison breakdown: 2015: $2.8M, 2016: $5M, 2017: $7.5M, 2018: $10M options 2019: $10.5M ($1M buyout), 2020: $11.5M ($500K buyout)
— RobBiertempfel (@RobBiertempfel) April 8, 2015
There is also a $1 M signing bonus.
