The Pittsburgh Pirates avoided arbitration with nine players prior to Friday’s deadline, but still have to go to arbitration hearings with three others.
The team was unable to agree to deals with Neal Walker, Pedro Alvarez and Vance Worley and will go to arbitration hearings next month.
Most arbitration cases end with the player receiving the mid-point amount between his and the team’s one-year contract offer.
Walker’s camp filed at $9 million while the Pirates countered at $8 million meaning the second baseman should receive $8.5 million if he wins his case.
Alvarez filed at $5.75 million and was countered with a $5.25 million offer. He should receive $5.5 million if he wins his case.
Worley filed at $2.45 million and was counted with a $2 million offer. He should get $2.225 million if he comes out on top of his case.
However, the Pirates were able to sign deals with these nine players prior to the deadline:
LHP Antonio Bastardo -$3.1 million
C Francisco Cervelli – $987,500
INF Josh Harrison – $2.8 million
RHP Jared Hughes – $1.075 million
RHP Mark Melancon – $5.4 million
INF Sean Rodriguez – $1.9 million
OF Travis Snider – $2.1 million
C Chris Stewart – $1.225 million
LHP Tony Watson – $1.75 million
With the signings of these nine players along with the three arbitration players and the addition of Jung-ho Kang, the Pirates payroll will be over the $90 million mark for the 2015 season and could reach the $100 million plateau.
Worth noting: Jose Tabata will be payed $4 million this season even if he is not on the 40-man roster which will add to the team’s payroll as Rob Biertempfel of the Trib mentions.
And don’t forget #Pirates are still on hook for $4M to Tabata, who is not even on 40-man roster at the moment.
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) January 16, 2015
(Photo Credit: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
