Report: Pirates, Rivero agree to 4-year extension

After parting ways with longtime outfielder Andrew McCutchen through trade, the Pittsburgh Pirates locked up a major piece of their future, agreeing to a four-year contract extension with reliever Felipe Rivero, sources confirmed, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

The deal is believed to be worth approximately $22 million with two $10 million club options.

Rivero's extension will wipe out his four remaining years of arbitration, with both club options, should they get exercised, covering his first two years of free agency.

With McCutchen heading to the San Francisco Giants for minor-leaguers Kyle Crick and Bryan Reynolds, Rivero was one of many athletes to voice disapproval over the star's departure through Twitter.

Rivero was acquired from the Pirates in 2016 as part of the midseason trade that sent closer Mark Melancon to the Washington Nationals. He took over as closer in 2017 and saw immediate success, converting 21 saves while pitching to a 1.67 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP, and 88 strikeouts across 73 games.