The Pittsburgh Pirates have returned to talking with outfielder Gregory Polanco about an extension, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
The two parties talked about a deal last May, but the offer fell through. It was a seven-year, $50 million contract. The offer also included three team options. Many insiders around the league believe Polanco turned the offer down because of low payment in those three option years.
Plus, the first offer in May was very club-friendly and Polanco wants to have a say in where he will make his money. If he can opt out and sign for a massed amount, then he would without a blink of an eye.
The details of the new extension talks are annonymous. It was also ambiguous if a deal would be finalized by Opening Day. However, do not hope for too much. Polanco is under the Pirates control through the 2020 season, so there is not a colossal sense of pressure to get this done as soon as possible.
Other outfielders, Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte have already been confined with the Pirates for multiple years in the future. McCutchen is signed through 2017 with a club option for 2018. Marte is registered with Pittsburgh through 2019 with a club option for both 2020 and 2021.
The 23-year-old played in 89 games for Pittsburgh and took 277 at-bats as a rookie in the 2014 season. Polanco slashed .235/.307/.343 with seven home runs and 33 RBIs. He stole 14 bases and was caught five times. The right fielder had a 0.4 WAR in 2014.
Polanco played in 15 games and took 45 at-bats in 2015 Spring Training for the Pirates. He slashed .222/.271/.400 with two homers and three RBIs. Polanco walked twice and stuck out four times, while getting 10 hits and scoring seven runs.