Pirates offer arbitration to all eligible players
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Pirates offered contracts to all their arbitration-eligible players, including right-hander Josh Fogg and utilityman Rob Mackowiak, who are eligible for the first time. First baseman Daryle Ward avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $950,000, one-year contract early Tuesday. Ward, 29, hit 15 home runs and had 57 RBIs in 79 games last season.
The Pirates also offered contracts to shortstop Jack Wilson, first baseman-outfielder Craig Wilson, right-hander Kip Wells and reliever Brian Meadows.
The club has discussed a multiyear contract with Jack Wilson, who became the first Pirates player since Dave Parker in 1977 to get 200 or more hits in a season. Wilson was awarded $1.85 million in arbitration last winter and would likely more than double that if he were to go to arbitration again.
Players can file for arbitration Jan. 5, with the club and the player exchanging figures Jan. 18.
If a case go to arbitration, the arbitrator will choose either the player’s figure or the club’s.