The Pittsburgh Pirates and second baseman Neil Walker will sign a one year deal for $5.75 M according to Rob Biertempfel, avoiding arbitration. They also signed reliever Vin Mazzaro for $950,000 according to Biertempfel. They have officially avoided arbitration with every eligible player now ahead of the deadline to exchange figures.
Neil Walker was projected to make $4.8 M, while Vin Mazzaro was projected to be $800,000 for the 2014 season. Walker received a significant raise over what was projected. He made $3.3 M last season.
Walker played 133 games for the Pirates in 2013, putting up a .251/.339/.418 slash line. He hit a career high 16 homers and drove in 53 runs. Mazzaro went 8-2, 2.81 in 57 relief outings. He threw a total of 73.2 innings and had 46 strikeouts and a 1.21 WHIP
There were six players eligible for arbitration going into yesterday. They already agreed to deals with Pedro Alvarez for $4.25 M and Mark Melancon for $2.595 M. Earlier in the day, they signed Gaby Sanchez for $2.3 M and Travis Snider agreed yesterday to a $1.2 M deal.
