The Pirates officially signed first baseman Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year, $29 million contract yesterday, the largest free agent deal they’ve ever made, and the former Orioles All-Star said he “couldn’t be more excited.”
O’Hearn hit .281 with 17 home runs and 63 RBIs in 144 games with the Orioles and Padres last season, and he’s eager to plunk some balls in the Allegheny River outside PNC Park.
The first baseman says the Pirates already had the pitching and now have added the offensive pieces to be a playoff contender.
The Pirates also yesterday avoided arbitration with four players by signing them to one-year deals. Oneil Cruz will get the biggest raise, from $785,00 to $3.4 million. Dennis Santana goes from $1.4 million to $3.5 million. Catcher Joey Bart’s salary rises from $1.75 million last season to $2.53 million. And reliever Justin Lawrence, who missed most of last season with an arm injury, gets a raise from $975,000 to $1.225 million
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