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Report: the Pittsburgh Pirates will meet with the agent of one of their best players at this week’s Major League Baseball Winter Meetings
At the 2016 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline, Pirate general manager Neal Huntington fleeced the Washington Nationals. Huntington was able to acquire left-handed pitching prospect Taylor Hearn and left-handed reliever Felipe Rivero form the Nationals in exchange for reliever Mark Melancon.
In 2017, Felipe Rivero started to emerge as one of the best left-handed relievers in all of Major League Baseball. Now it appears that the Pirates and Rivero are ready to discuss a contract extension.
According to MLB.com’s Adam Berry, the Pirates will meet with Felipe Rivero’s agent at this week’s Major League Baseball Winter Meetings.
Felipe Rivero said his agent will meet with the Pirates front office at the Winter Meetings. He's arb-eligible for the first time but open to a long-term deal.
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) December 9, 2017
This off-season Rivero is arbitration eligible for the first time in his career. This means the Pirates control Rivero through the 2022 season, however, that does not mean a contract extension would be out of the question.
Hammering out a contract extension with Felipe Rivero could serve multiple purposes. First off, it would pay Rivero more than he will make in arbitration and reward him for an excellent 2017 campaign. Secondly, it would almost assuredly buy out a year or two of free agency for Rivero extending how long the Pirates control him for.
Finally, it would also help the Pirates with balancing the budget moving forward. Instead of Rivero’s salary fluctuating every year due to arbitration, the Pirates will know his salary in the seasons moving forward giving them a better idea of what type of financial resources they will have to allocate elsewhere.
Next: Report: Pirates front runners to sign Jaime Garcia
Last season Felipe Rivero averaged just 2.39 BB/9 while striking out 88 batters (10.51 K/9) in 75 1/3 innings pitched. He owned a 1.67 ERA, 2.47 FIP, and a 2.1 fWAR. His 2.1 fWAR was tied with Archie Bradley for the third highest among National League relievers, while his 2.47 FIP ranked second and his 1.67 ERA was third best in the league.