Pirates lock up LF Starling Marte
— -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have locked up a key cornerstone of the team's future, agreeing to a six-year contract extension with 25-year-old left fielder Starling Marte.
The deal with Marte is worth $31 million, a source close to the negotiations told ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas.
Financial terms were not released by the team. According to CBSSports.com, the extension will start in 2014, wiping away the $512,400 that Marte was slated to make this year.
"Today is a great day for Starling Marte and the Pittsburgh Pirates organization," general manager Neal Huntington said. "We are honored to make a commitment to such a quality young man and exciting young player and we are humbled that Starling has made a significant commitment to the Pirates."
The Pirates had announced plans to extend Marte's contract at the beginning of spring training, but the player rejected their first two offers.
Marte, 25, hit .280 with 26 doubles, 10 triples, 12 home runs and 41 stolen bases in 135 games in 2013, his first full season as a big leaguer. He would not have entered free agency until after the 2018 season.
The native of the Dominican Republic is having a strong spring, hitting .356 (16-for-45) in Grapefruit League play.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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