Josh Harrison and the Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to an extension that will keep Harrison with the Bucs for the next four years to the tune of $27.3 million dollars.
Pirates third baseman Josh Harrison signed a contract extension through the 2018 season, the team announced Wednesday. There are also teams options for 2019 and 2020.
Harrison’s deal is worth $27.3 million, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. His deal could reach $50.3 million, if the Pirates exercise both options.
“We are pleased to make this commitment to Josh and that Josh has made this commitment to the Pirates,” general manager Neal Huntington said in a press release. “Josh is a very talented, well-rounded player who helps our team win games offensively, defensively and on the bases. Additionally, he is an outstanding person who leads by example with his energy, grit and positivity. We look forward to continuing to work with Josh to achieve our shared goals.”
Harrison is coming off a breakout season in 2014. He hit .315 with a .490 slugging percentage, .837 OPS, seven triples, 13 home runs, 38 doubles, 52 RBI, 77 runs and 18 stolen bases in 143 games. Harrison was a first-time All-Star last season.
The Pirates are wisely locking up it’s young nucleus of talent long term. As a sports fan, I like seeing the franchises who have been down for awhile finally start coming up and making some noise.
The Pirates have been making postseason pushes the past couple years and it is thanks to guys like Harrison and Andrew McCutchen.