Jose Tabata Contract: Details On Tabata's Extremely Cheap Deal With Pirates

Enrique Rojas reports that the Pirates have signed outfielder Jose Tabata to a very cheap extension. Here are the details:

The salary of Tabata rises to $ 500,000 this season – plus the signing bonus of $ 1 million in 2011 – and then win $ 750,000 in 2012, $ 1 million in 2013, $ 3 million in 2014, $ 4.0 million in 2015 and $ 4, 5 million in 2016.

There are also team options for 2017, 2018 and 2019 that would bring the total value of the deal to $37.25 million.

This is a fantastic deal for the Pirates. True, there’s a chance that Tabata won’t develop, but if he does, the Pirates will be paying him practically nothing. Rojas reports that Tabata’s representation was upset with him for wanting to agree to this deal, and Tabata is no longer working with them. That’s a sure sign that it’s a very team-friendly deal. Nice work by the Bucs.

For more on the Pirates, check out Bucs Dugout.

Pirates' Neil Walker Discussing Contract, Along With Jose Tabata; What About Andrew McCutchen?

Jenifer Langosch writes that not only are the Pirates close to signing outfielder Jose Tabata to a contract extension, but they’re also talking about a new contract with second baseman Neil Walker.

Tabata’s deal would likely be for six years, and might also include club options. The contract would give the Pirates a chance to buy most of Tabata’s peak seasons at what would be a bargain rate if he turns out to be a consistently above-average player.

Walker’s contract is likely to come after Tabata’s, and I can’t find anyone saying that Walker is ready to sign, but if the Pirates want to do this, I can’t believe it won’t get done. Walker is from Pittsburgh and loves playing in town, and I doubt he’ll drive a hard bargain.

Both these deals might help convince Andrew McCutchen to stay long-term. The Pirates haven’t been able to sign McCutchen so far, but that might change if they’re able to convince him they’re committed to the franchise in the long term.

For more on the Pirates, check out Bucs Dugout.

Jose Tabata, Pirates Reportedly Negotiating Massive Contract

In a bold, proactive move, the Pirates are reportedly negotiating a six-year extension with Jose Tabata.