March 26, 2014

Pirates sign Starling Marte to a 6yr/$31mil contract

Pirates sign Starling Marte

to a 6yr/$31mil contract

The Pirates and Starling Marte have agreed to a 6yr/31mil contract extension, pending a physical. Marte’s deal covers all of his five pre-arbitration and arbitration years. In addition, it covers one free agent year. The deal gives the Pirates two additional club options, if they are exercised the contract would would cover two more free agent years.

In 2013 Marte provided the Pirates with a much needed spark at the top of the lineup. He hit .280/.343/.441 with 12 HR and a 121 wRC+. His 41 SB ranked 3rd in the NL. A natural center-fielder, Marte rates as a plus defensive outfielder. He possesses great range, a plus throwing arm, and last year was nominated as a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove. Marte’s strong overall season was worth 4.6 fWAR, 9th best among all MLB outfielders.