Today is the deadline to tender contracts to players for the 2019 season. The Pittsburgh Pirates had three players who were eligible for arbitration this winter and they tendered contracts to right-handed pitcher Keone Kela and outfielder Corey Dickerson. In addition to that news, the Pirates announced that they agreed to a deal with right-handed pitcher Michael Feliz before the deadline, avoiding arbitration.
No details of the Feliz deal have been released yet, but it was estimated that he would receive $900,000 through arbitration. Kela is estimated to receive $3.2 M in his second season of arbitration according to MLB Trade Rumors, while Dickerson is projected to receive $8.4 M in his last year before free agency.
The deadline to exchange figures with arbitration players is January 11th. The Pirates are one of numerous “file and trial” teams, where if they don’t come to an agreement with players by that deadline, then they will go to a arbitration hearing with the players.
We will update this article if Feliz’s contract details are announced tonight.
UPDATE: According to Jon Heyman, Feliz will get $850,000 in the majors, but he’s guaranteed at least $375,000 this season if he’s in the minors.
Michael Feliz, pirates settle at 850K if in majors, 375K guaranteed
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 1, 2018
