BRADENTON, Fla. -- Andrew McCutchen's deal is not yet official. The outfielder first must undergo the obligatory physical, and other minute details have to be worked out.
The Pirates' announcement plans won't be known until the transaction is completed. But there is agreement on a six-year, $51.5 million contract for the young National League All-Star, a source confirmed to MLB.com on Monday.
And among Pirates fans and baseball insiders, there is also agreement on this: The pact cements the club's long-range future and direction. It is a significant departure from Pittsburgh's recent trend of developing but being unable to retain young talent.
Details of a contract that had been negotiated for nearly a year came together two days after the Pirates and McCutchen had announced agreement on a deal for 2012. The breakdown of the new contract is not yet known, but it is expected to override the previously agreed-to terms for the coming season.
The two sides had been working to cross a relatively small bridge, with Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington offering in the $40 million range and the player's camp invoking two other young stars as comparables.
Arizona outfielder Justin Upton signed a six-year extension for $51.25 million two years ago. Cincinnati outfielder Jay Bruce agreed to his six-year, $51 million extension in December 2010.
The comparisons were flawless. Not only are all three entering their age-25 seasons, but they were bunched at the top of the the first round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft.
Upton was No. 1, McCutchen No. 11 and Bruce No. 12.
McCutchen now trumps both, which was important to him.
During his visit to Pirate City a week ago, club chairman Bob Nutting acknowledged the Pirates had the means to secure core players, as well as awareness of the need to do so.
"We have not reached a point of urgency," Nutting said, "but we have said from the very beginning that we have a plan to build talent and then to retain and build on talent that are key pieces of the organization. Neal has a clear understanding of what those key pieces are."
One of those centerpieces will now be secured through his three remaining arbitration-eligibility years and his first two years of free agency. The agreement also includes an option for a seventh year, at $14.75 million.
The guaranteed portion of McCutchen's deal will be the second richest in Pirates history. Jason Kendall was one year removed from free agency in November 2000 when he signed a six-year extension for $60 million that kicked in beginning with the 2002 season.
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