Pirates agree to terms with 27 players, but Oneil Cruz's contract renewed at MLB minimum

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that they have agreed to 2023 contract terms with 27 players on their 40-man roster who are pre-arbitration eligible, with one notable exception: Oneil Cruz had his contract renewed.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that the 24-year-old shortstop will be paid the major league minimum of $720,000 this season. That’s a $20,000 increase from the 2022 minimum but not much of a raise for the 6-foot-7, 220-pounder who slashed .233/.294/.450 with 13 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs and 54 RBIs while stealing 10 bases in 87 games after a late June promotion. Cruz finished sixth in NL Rookie of the Year voting and smashed Statcast records for the hardest recorded hit (122.4 mph) and fastest throw across the infield (97.8 mph).

The list of players who agreed to terms includes All-Star closer David Bednar, who led the Pirates with 19 saves; outfielder Jack Suwinski (19 home runs); starting pitcher Roansy Contreras (5-5, 3.79 ERA in 21 games); and relievers Wil Crowe (76) and Chase De Jong (71 2/3), who led the bullpen in innings pitched.

The others are infielders Ji Hwan Bae, Rodolfo Castro, Tucupita Marcano, Liover Peguero and Jared Triolo; right-handed pitchers Mike Burrows, Yerry De Los Santos, Colin Holderman, Max Kranick, Mark Mathias, Dauri Moreta, Luis Ortiz, Johan Oviedo, Yohan Ramirez and Colin Selby; lefty reliever Jose Hernandez; outfielders Connor Joe, Cal Mitchell, Canaan Smith-Njigba, Travis Swaggerty and Ryan Vilade; and catcher Endy Rodriguez, their top prospect.