Today is the deadline for players and teams to exchange arbitration figures. The Pirates are one of many “file and trial” teams, which means if they exchange figures with a player, the two sides will go to arbitration. Five players were left as of this morning without a contract. Jon Heyman reports that shortstop Jordy Mercer has agreed to a deal worth $2.075M for 2016, avoiding arbitration. He was estimated to receive $1.8M according to projections. This is the first year of arbitration for Mercer, who made $538,000 in 2015.
mercer, pirates agree at $2.075M
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 15, 2016
The Pirates still have until 1pm today to work out contracts with Mark Melancon, Francisco Cervelli, Tony Watson and Jared Hughes. Check back here for any updates.
Yesterday, the Pirates avoided arbitration with Jeff Locke, signing him for $3.025M for 2016. They also agreed on a contract extension Chris Stewart, covering his first year of free agency(2017), along with a team option for 2018.
Update 12:39pm: According to Ben Nicholson-Smith, the Pirates and Jared Hughes have agreed on a $2.175M deal, leaving three players to go. The deadline is 1pm, but we could hear some agreements after that time as not everything is reported right away. Hughes was projected to get $2.2M, so that number was right on target.
Source: #Pirates, Jared Hughes avoid arb. $2.175 million in 2016
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) January 15, 2016
12:45pm: Francisco Cervelli has agreed to a $3.5M deal according to Jeff Passan, exactly $1M more than he was projected to receive. That leaves Tony Watson and Mark Melancon as the last two without agreements.
Frankie Cervelli gets $3.5M from the Pirates. Was thought to be an extension candidate after one of the best under-the-radar seasons in '15.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 15, 2016
12:49pm: Passan also reports that Tony Watson received $3.45M, which is well short of the $4.6M projection.
2:31pm: The Pirates announce that they have avoided arbitration with every eligible player, including Mark Melancon. His salary hasn’t been announced yet.
#Pirates have agreed to terms & avoid arbitration with:
Francisco Cervelli
Jared Hughes
Jeff Locke
Jordy Mercer
Mark Melancon
Tony Watson— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) January 15, 2016
3:22pm: Jon Heyman announces that Melancon got $9.65M, just shy of his estimated $10M.
mark melancon, pirates settle at $9.65M
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 15, 2016
