According to a report, the Pirates are extending starting pitcher Mitch Keller.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports it’s a five-year deal.
The Post-Gazette’s Jason Mackey reports it’s a $77 million deal, $15.4 million a year.
Keller went 13-9 last season with a 4.21 ERA over 32 starts.
The 27-year-old has 210 strike outs over 194.1 innings pitched with 55 walks.
Taken in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft by the Pirates out of Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Keller struggled early in his career but the past few seasons has become a top starter for the Pirates.
Keller talked about possible extension during PIratesfest
Both Keller and the Pirates believed an extension would happen sometime last season, but that never came to be.
The Pirates still have holes in the starting rotation but suring up Keller and having Paul Skenes on the horizon are encouraging signs.