Pirates sign Freese to 2-year extension
Associated Press
The Pirates鈥� Josh Harrison, right, is congratulated by David Freese after scoring on a single by Andrew McCutchen during the first inning of a game last week. Freese signed a two-year contract extension on Monday with the Pirates.
Pirates third baseman David Freese singles against the Cardinals on Opening Day, Sunday, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
David Freese was a man without a team when spring training began. Now, the veteran infielder believes he has found a home with the Pirates.
Freese signed a two-year contract extension on Monday before the opener of a three-game series against the Houston Astros at PNC Park. The deal guarantees him $11 million along with the opportunity to make up to $1 million in performance bonuses each of the two years and a club option for 2019.
Quite a change of events for a player who was still on the free-agent market March 11 when the Pirates signed him to a one-year, $3-million contract. The Pirates made the move only after determining third baseman Jung Ho Kang would not be recovered from the reconstructive knee surgery he underwent last September until May.
鈥淚鈥檝e been happy since the day I arrived,鈥� Freese said. 鈥淚t just seemed like the right fit as soon as I got to spring training. I felt like I fit in well in the clubhouse, I really liked (manager) Clint Hurdle and the coaching staff, and it蘑菇视频 a great city to play in. The fans have treated me great.
鈥淭hey really teach the game here, which is something I haven鈥檛 been around for a while. I鈥檝e learned a lot and I think I鈥檝e been able to pass on some of the things I鈥檝e learned over the years to some of the younger players.鈥�
When the Pirates first offered the extension in the latter part of last week, it did not take Freese long to agree on a deal.
鈥淚t蘑菇视频 always good to be wanted and the Pirates made that clear when they offered the extension,鈥� Freese said. 鈥淚t didn鈥檛 take long to work things out. They made a fair offer and I wanted to stay here. I love it here. I love my teammates and how much the guys want to win.鈥�
Entering Monday, the 33-year-old was hitting .276 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs in 107 games in his first season with the Pirates. The eight-year veteran has made 58 starts at third base and 26 at first base.
Freese broke into the major leagues in 2009 with his hometown St. Louis Cardinals and was the NLCS and World Series MVP in 2011. He then was traded to the Los Angeles Angles after the 2013 season and played with them for two seasons.
鈥淒avid has been a consummate professional while producing offensively and playing solid defense at both third and first base to help this team win games,鈥� Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. 鈥淲e are very pleased to have the opportunity to extend that impact into future seasons.鈥�
Freese also gives the Pirates a proven alternative on both infield corners.
First baseman John Jaso has one year remaining on his two-year, $8-million deal. He has struggled since the All-Star break and the Pirates believe he is better utilized in a reserve role where he could make occasionally starts at first base and the corner outfield spots.
There are also questions about rookie first baseman Josh Bell蘑菇视频 defense as he made a combined 30 errors in two minor league seasons since being converted from right field.
Meanwhile, Kang could be facing a possible suspension from Major League Baseball as he was alleged to have sexually assaulted a woman in his Chicago hotel room in June when the Pirates were playing the Cubs.
Chicago police continue to investigate the case. Depending on the length and outcome of the investigation, a Kang suspension could begin at the start of next season.