Pirates’ payroll lower than expected
The Pirates have cost certainty with spring training on the horizon, which is important to a low-budget franchise that counts every penny.
Barring a significant addition to the roster through either free agency or a trade, the Pirates’ projected opening day payroll will be approximately $98 million. That falls short of the $100-$110 million that was reportedly set aside for payroll at the beginning of the offseason.
They also assured labor peace, which is a nice bonus after angering former first baseman Pedro Alvarez and former second baseman Neil Walker by going to salary arbitration hearings with both last winter.
The Pirates were able to achieve both Friday by signing six of their seven players eligible for salary arbitration to one-year contracts. The seventh, backup catcher Chris Stewart, agreed to a two-year contract with a club option for 2018, pending his passing of a physical examination.
The Stewart contract comes as a surprise and likely signals that starting catcher Francisco Cervelli will leave via free agency at the end of this season. The Pirates will have premium catching prospects at the upper levels of the farm system this upcoming season with Elias Diaz at Class AAA Indianpolis and Reese McGuire at Class AA Altoona.
Cervelli had a fine first season with the Pirates in 2015, hitting .295 with seven home runs, a .370 on-base percentage and .401 slugging percentage in 510 plate appearances. However, they are wary of entering into a long-term contract with him as he turns 30 in March and has a long injury history.
Closer Mark Melancon will make $9.65 million this upcoming season after leading the major leagues with 51 saves in 2015. Also signed to one-year deals were Cervelli ($3.5 million), left-handed reliever Tony Watson ($3.45 million), left-handed starter Jeff Locke ($3.025 million), right-handed reliever Jared Hughes ($2.175 million) and shortstop Jordy Mercer ($2.075 million).
The financial details of Stewart’s contract are unknown but industry sources expect the guaranteed portion to be in the $4.5-million range over the two years.