According to Enrique Rojas of ESPN, the Pittsburgh Pirates have extended outfielder Jose Tabata for six years and at least $14.75 M guaranteed. The team also has option years for the 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons, which would make the contract a total of nine years and $37.25 M. Tabata would have normally been a free agent in 2017, so this deal buys three years of control.
The salary breakdown is as follows:
2011: $500,000 ($1 M signing bonus)
2012: $750,000
2013: $1,000,000
2014: $3,000,000
2015: $4,000,000
2016: $4,500,000
No word on the amounts for the 2017-2019 years, except that they would cost $22.5 M if the options were all picked up. Tabata was originally making $428,000 this year, so the contract gives him a slight raise, plus a $1 M signing bonus.
The extension means that Tabata is currently under team control longer than any other player on the active roster.
UPDATE: Rojas also reports that there are $250 K buyouts on each of the option years, making the total guaranteed money $15 M from 2012-2016.
