2:05pm: Freese’s deal also allows him to make up to $1MM per year in bonuses based on plate appearances, tweets Heyman.
1:55pm: Freese’s deal guarantees him a total of $11MM, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports (Twitter link). The contract is front-loaded, paying him $6.25MM in 2017 and $4.25MM in 2018. His club option is valued at $6MM and comes with a $500K buyout.
1:44pm: The Pirates announced that they have reached a two-year extension with infielder David Freese that contains a club option for the 2019 season. Freese is a client of CAA Sports.
Freese, 33, inked a one-year, $3MM contract with the Pirates late in the offseason that has proven to be a terrific value for the club, as the former Cardinals/Angels third baseman has batted .276/.355/.437 with a dozen homers through 391 trips to the plate in 107 games this season. That he was available on a one-year deal in March was largely a function of that fact that there was little in the way of demand for third basemen on either the trade or free agent market this winter. He’ll now forgo the risk of sitting through that level of uncertainty again with a new two-year deal that presumably affords him a raise on his modest 2016 salary.
The Pirates took some heat from their fans following last month’s trade of Francisco Liriano and a pair of prospects in exchange for Drew Hutchison and a good deal of salary relief, but the savings from that swap — which freed Pittsburgh from Liriano’s $13MM salary in 2017 — look like they’ve already begun to be reallocated in the form of this deal. Freese will continue to give manager Clint Hurdle another option at third base in addition to Jung Ho Kang, who has twice been on the disabled list this season and is also currently the subject of a criminal investigation. He’s also made 43 appearances at first base this season and has even made a pair of cameos at second base, giving Hurdle multiple options when it comes to utilizing him over the next two to three seasons.
I like this move freese has been solid for us and deserves it
Yes!
With the current out-of-hand contracts, that seems like a very good deal for the Pirates.
I think Freese really likes it in Pittsburgh, because he could have earned a lot more money on the open market, especially with this free agent class. If I remember correctly, the cost per on the open market is about $7.000.000, making Freese worth around $14.000.000. Although it is doubtfull that he would have gotten that much from any team, a 3 year- $30 MM contract may have been waiting for him with another team.
Freese deserves it. I wish the Halos wouldn’t have let him go.
Good move by both parties. With the likes of Bell and Meadows nearly ready, do we see PIT move Marte? They could get a very good haul for him. I know Bell has worked at 1B for 2 years now, but most say he’s better off in the outfield.
If the Pirates were to move an outfielder, it would most certainly be Cutch over Marte. And everything that Ive read and seen suggests that Bell isnt much of a defender in the outfiedl or at first. I know its early, but I wouldnt be surprised if he winds up being a DH in the near future. In fact im not so sure he wouldnt be the odd man out.
Bingo, Meadows is the heir apparent for Cutch. Marte is signed for several more years. Cutch should bring a decent return in a trade after next season. Hopefully Bell’s bat outshines his defense and provides more runs than he gives up on defense..
If Cutch is traded away sooner than later, Bell could be used in the OF if needed. Yeah probably isn’t ideal but a stop gap until meadows gets here (there are other prospect options too) I heard the same thing and watching Bell play he isn’t the best first basemen and he looks nervous every play in the MLB.
But if he is hitting .300/350 with 20-30 HR’s I’ll let a few mistakes go and she should get at least a little better but if he is throwing to marte while trying to hit mercer.. then might want to look into sending him to the AL.
Short answer: no.
Freese is very underrated and consistent – play him everyday and youre getting a 2+ fWAR player – those actually don’t grow on trees but every other team is trying to find them for cheap – better to just pony up a mid-low sized deal like this one.
Also makes him a great trade piece if they fall out of it or if a prospect breaks out and takes his job.
Honestly, as a fan of Freese I like this move for him– but as a baseball fan, selfishly, it thins out the already thin free agent market even more, but smart move.
My thoughts exactly! Well said (obviously).
Pittsburgh’s done some damage during the season to the free agent market, though by trading Melancon (who I believe is a FA) they helped his earning power. Cervelli and Freese both getting extensions really weakens the pos. player side of the market, which was already low on depth even with them.
Great move around the board. Gets Freese some security, and the Bucs get a decent bat with utility options. I feel Freese is underrated, but a solid piece.
Great move by the Pirates, he’s a solid ballplayer, always liked him
As a Cards fan, I say bully for Freese and the Pirates. There’s no downside with this — unless he’s hurt all the time. You ostensibly have a “league average’ guy for well below ‘league average’ pay. Good move for both sides.
Thought the Pirates are cheap and will not spend any money? Another signing of a quality player. by the Bucs. Will be ignored by the Nutting Stinks crowd in the burgh
Cervelli – 3/31
Jaso – 2/8
Harrison – 4/25?
Kang – 4/11
Freese – 1/3, 2/11
McCutchen – 6/51 + options
Polanco – 5/35
Marte – 6/31
Liriano – 3/31
Morton – 3/21
They haven’t signed anyone to mega-deals, but have signed several mid-money deals to lock up the players they want around. If they can lock in Cole to an extension, they’ll be in good shape with Bell, Glasnow and Taillon around.
Cole is a Boras guy. They won’t be able to keep him.
But, hopefully they can get Bell, Taillon and Glasnow to sign extensions at some point.
Once they trade Cutch and slot in Meadows, the batters will essentially be locked up for years.
They will just need to keep producing cheap, young pitching.
Depends how you mean mega-deals…
they haven’t ‘needed to” commit 100$ million for 5 years to any player to build a play off caliber team.
Cutch, Marte, Polanco.. I’d consider those Mega deals.. not by the cost but buy their control and risk assessment.
The pirates are not going to commit 1/3rd of their salary to one player. If they did that player better make Mike Trout look like a washed up pony league player.
On your list, Lirano and morton are gone, Jaso is probably done with the pirates this season, Kang could be if he can get healthy and If someone offers a good haul for cutch you have to think it will be at least considered.
Or that player actually *is* Mike Trout. Somehow.
For some reason Cleveland signed Uribe over Freese. I knew it was a bad decision then and this just validates that.
playoff teams need to be lucky at hunting in the bargain section of the free agent supermarket. teams like pittsburgh, tampa, cincinnati, oakland need to pull players off the scrap heap and hope their WD40 will return them to working order. Freese is one of those guys. He’s doing exactly what he’s done his entire career…Mid 270’s batting average, mid teens in HR…..and 70rbis and plays decent defense. there are worse guys to have. dangers exist of course signing a player going into his mid 30’s but he’s not that expensive and it’s only a two year guarantee.
This is a very good move, reasonable money and low-risk. Even if he goes belly-up next season, the buyout number is very reasonable.
The Buccos know how to beat the FA game. Always a step ahead. Solid signing by them.