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Pirates, Freese agree to 2-year extension

Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Pittsburgh Pirates and infielder David Freese have agreed to a two-year contract extension with a club option for the 2019 season, the team announced Monday.

The extension will pay Freese salaries of $6.25 million (2017), $4.25 million (2018), and $6 million (with a $500,000 buyout) if the 2019 option is picked up, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune. Freese is earning $3 million this year.

Freese's new deal comes on the heels of a resurgent campaign for the 33-year-old veteran, who signed with the Pirates during spring training after failing to attract much interest in free agency. In 107 games this season split between first and third base, Freese has 12 homers, 20 doubles, and his highest slash line (.276/.355/.437) since 2012.

"Both sides wanted to get something done, so it came together easily," Freese told Biertempfel. "I feel really good about this organization."

Freese and the Angels, with whom he spent the previous two seasons, were said to be nearing an extension last winter before talks broke down. An All-Star with the Cardinals in 2012, Freese enjoyed his most productive seasons in his final two years in St. Louis, where he averaged 14 homers with 26 doubles and a .782 OPS over 282 games.

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