Pirates Reach Deals with Walker and McDonald
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Paul Spinelli/MLB Photos via Getty Images(PITTSBURGH) — The Pittsburgh Pirates reached one-year contracts with second baseman Neil Walker and pitcher James McDonald Thursday, avoiding salary arbitration with their final two eligible players.
Walker will get $3 million while McDonald gets $3,025,000.
The 27-year-old Walker hit .280 with 14 homers and 69 RBIs in 129 games last season.
McDonald, who started last season in the starting rotation, pitched well in the first half of last season, but had a 7.52 ERA after the All-Star break and was removed from the starting staff.
He is expected to be the teams third starter this season behind A.J. Burnett and Wandy Rodriguez.
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