According to Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors, the Pittsburgh Pirates are discussing a multi-year extension with outfielder Jose Tabata. Dierkes mentions that Tabata has recently switched agents as well.
Tabata won’t be eligible for arbitration until after the 2013 season, and he won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2016 season. A multi-year extension would surely cover his remaining control years. The big question is whether the Pirates could get a year or two of his free agent years in a deal. Any deal that just covered his arbitration years wouldn’t really be worth it for the Pirates, although obviously we don’t know the details since we only know the two sides are discussing an extension.
Tabata hit for a .299 average with a .746 OPS last year in his rookie campaign. The 22 year old has hit for a .264 average this year, with a .713 OPS. He’s see a slight increase in his home run power and an increase to his walk rate, despite his average being down.
