Reports: Pirates agree to terms with Jeff Locke, Chris Stewart
The Pittsburgh Pirates reportedly have agreed to contract terms with both catcher Chris Stewart and pitcher Jeff Locke, avoiding arbitration.
FOX Sports MLB insider Ken Rosenthal reports that Locke's deal is a one-year contract worth $3.025 million.
Source: #Pirates settle with Jeff Locke on one-year, $3.025M contract, avoiding arbitration.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 14, 2016
Stewart's deal is for two years with an option for 2018, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Locke, who was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 2006 amateur draft, made his major-league debut with the Pirates in 2011.
In his five years with the club, the 28-year-old lefty has posted a 26-30 record with a 4.16 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 382 strikeouts versus 202 walks in 517 innings.
He suffered a regression in 2015 after two consecutive solid seasons, compiling an 8-11 record with a 4.49 ERA and 1.42 WHIP last season.
Stewart, who turns 34 this offseason, has been a solid backup for the Pirates behind the dish, notching a .292/.340/.336 split with 25 RBI in 107 games over the past two years.
Stewart's reported two-year deal would give the Pirates a safety net if starting catcher Francisco Cervelli doesn't return after his deal expires after the coming season.
