Josh Harrison, Pirates Agree to New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a proactive move Wednesday by signing utility man Josh Harrison to a four-year contract extension.

According to the team's official Twitter account, the deal also includes a pair of club options for 2019 and 2020:

Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com is reporting that the contract is worth nearly $7 million per year:

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington commented on the move, via Tom Singer of MLB.com:

"

We are pleased to make this commitment to Josh and that Josh has made this commitment to the Pirates. Josh is a very talented, well-rounded player who helps our team win games offensively, defensively and on the bases. Additionally, he is an outstanding person who leads by example with his energy, grit and positivity. We look forward to continuing to work with Josh to achieve our shared goals.

"

The 27-year-old star is capable of playing third base, second base, shortstop and outfield, and he is also coming off the best offensive season of his four-year career.

As seen in this graphic courtesy of the Pirates, Harrison reached high-water marks across the board and was named to his first All-Star team in 2014:

Harrison was hugely valuable to the Pirates last season due to his hitting and versatility in the field. He was one of MLB's true unsung heroes, and Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown is glad to see that he is in Pittsburgh to stay:

Some might view the fact that Harrison doesn't have a definitive position as a drawback, but it gives the Pirates options on a game-to-game basis and also gives them flexibility when it comes to signing or trading for other players.

Harrison is the definition of a team-first guy, and he will undoubtedly play a major role in the Pirates' continued development into a perennial playoff team.

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