Report: Pirates decline Harrison's $10.5M option

The Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly declined the $10.5-million team option on Josh Harrison's contract for the 2019 season, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The 31-year-old utility man will now be paid a $1-million buyout.

Harrison's contract also included a team option for 2020 that would have been worth $11 million with a $5-million buyout.

The Pirates also rejected the $5.5-million team option on middle infielder Jung Ho Kang, paying the 31-year-old a $200,000 buyout, according to Adam Berry of MLB.com.

Harrison posted a .250/.293/.363 slash line with eight home runs and three stolen bases over 97 games, missing time due to a hamstring injury. The two-time All-Star, known partly for his positional flexibility, spent the majority of the 2018 campaign at second base, only manning third base for four innings.

Harrison will officially become a free agent on Friday and compete for a contract with fellow unemployed second basemen Daniel Murphy, DJ LeMahieu, Jed Lowrie, and Brian Dozier.