BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Left fielder Starling Marte and the Pittsburgh Pirates have completed their $31 million, six-year contract.
The deal announced Thursday calls for Marte to receive a $2 million signing bonus and make $500,000 this season, $1 million next year, $3 million in 2016, $5 million in 2017, $7.5 million in 2018 and $10 million in 2019.
Pittsburgh has an $11.5 million option for 2020 with a $2 million buyout. If that option is exercised, the Pirates have a $12.5 million option for 2021 with a $1 million buyout.
If Marte finishes among the top five in MVP in any of the next six seasons, the option prices would increase by $500,000 each. If he finishes among the top five in 2020, the option for the next year would go up by $500,000. The option prices can increase by a maximum of $1 million each.
The deal replaces a one-year contract agreed to earlier this month that would have paid him $516,000 while in the major leagues and $300,000 while in the minors.
Marte hit .280 with 12 homers, 35 RBIs and a team-high 41 steals last year, his first full season in the majors.
