Gregory Polanco Extended

According to Yahoo! Sports, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco to a 5 year extension with two club options worth around $30 million. The outfielder has turned down 5 year offers worth $25 million in the past. The deal will begin in 2017, allowing the Pirates to have max control through the 2023 season with forgoing his arbitration years.

The 24 year old has produced a career .249/.316/.369 in his brief career to date. However, his second half slash of .276/.324/.425 should be a good way to leap start his breakout, which he produced a double hit 109 mph and a single hit 112 mph in today’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals. His defense and arm have been his biggest strong point so far, as he has produced 18 assists in just 232 games in the outfield.

The Pirates outfield is now set through at least the next three years, as Andrew McCutchen is under contract through 2018, Starling Marte through 2019 but with two team options through 2021, and now Gregory Polanco through 2021 with two options through 2023. It will be interesting to see what the Pirates now do with prospects Willy Garcia, Austin Meadows, and Harry Ramirez, with the predictability at least one will be traded.

More analysis of what this extension means for the club will come tomorrow.