The Pittsburgh Pirates avoided arbitration by agreeing Thursday to one-year contracts with four players, including a pair of All-Star pitchers, a source confirmed to TribLive.
Two-time All-Star closer David Bednar earned the biggest raise, going from a $745,000 salary last year to $4.51 million to this season. The Mars alum tied for the National League lead with 39 saves in 42 opportunities, and his .929 save percentage led the majors.
Starting pitcher Mitch Keller, selected to the All-Star Game for the first time, earned a $3.05 million bump as his salary increased to $5,442,500. The right-hander led Pirates starters in wins (13), ERA (4.21), WHIP (1.25), innings pitched (194 1/3) and set a franchise record for strikeouts in a season by a righty (210) and tied for most starts (32).
Outfielder/first baseman Connor Joe will make $2.125 million, a $1.39 million raise, after tying for the team lead with 31 doubles and hitting 11 home runs with 42 RBIs in 133 games.
Outfielder Edward Olivares, acquired from the Kansas City Royals in a trade last month, agreed to a $1.35 million deal for a $609,250 raise.
The Pirates also previously avoided arbitration with a pair of pitchers, agreeing to a $1.6 million deal with left-handed reliever Ryan Borucki in November and to a $2.275 million deal with righty starter JT Brubaker on Wednesday.
