Pirates agree to terms with 2B Sanchez

Feb 5, 2008 - 7:51 PM PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates made a commitment to one of their key players Tuesday, agreeing to terms with second baseman Freddy Sanchez on a two-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the deal could be worth as much as $19 million. The deal also includes a club option for 2010.

"Freddy is an important part of this organization and we are excited to him under contract for his last two arbitration years and his first years of free agency," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "This contract is an illustration of our willingness to commit to our quality young players who are positive representatives of the Pirates both on and off the field."

Sanchez, 30, is expected to make $4.5 million in base pay for the 2008 season and about $6 million for the 2009 campaign with a club option for 2010, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

If Sanchez performs at a certain level in the first two seasons of the contract - believed to be based on a reasonable threshold of plate appearances - a provision in the contract automatically triggers the 2010 option. If he does not reach that benchmark, the two parties would agree to a buyout, according to the Post-Gazette.

The 30-year-old Sanchez, who won the National League batting crown in 2006 with a .344 average, played in 147 games last season before suffering a right shoulder injury. He batted .304 with 11 home runs, 81 RBI and 77 runs scored.

In 477 career games with Pittsburgh and the Boston Red Sox, Sanchez is .310 hitter with 22 homers and 207 RBI.