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The Pittsburgh Pirates signed 24-year-old outfielder Gregory Polanco to a five-year contract extension, multiple outlets reported Sunday night. According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, who broke the story, the deal, believed to guarantee Polanco in the mid-$30 million range, should be officially announced this week.
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The Pirates offered Polanco a seven-year, $25 million offer before his major league debut in June 2014 that was rejected.
The new contract will begin in the 2017 season, and the Pirates reportedly hold two options.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder hit just nine home runs last season, but showed flashes of stardom offensively and defensively in an inconsistent season. Polanco hit .256 with 52 RBIs last season.
The Pirates have a talented trio of outfielders locked up, with former National League MVP Andrew McCutchen in center field and developing cleanup hitter Starling Marte, who hit 19 home runs and stole 30 bases last season, patrolling left.
