PITTSBURGH, PA – The Pittsburgh Pirates have reached a five-year contract extension with right-handed pitcher Mitch Keller, according to sources. The 27-year-old is guaranteed $77 million in the deal, which overrides his previous one-year, $5.4425 million agreement for the upcoming season. Keller was set to reach free agency after the 2025 season, but this new contract secures his spot with the Pirates for the foreseeable future.
The extension puts Keller in the same financial realm as Pablo Lopez of the Minnesota Twins, who signed a four-year, $73.5 million extension last year. Both pitchers had between four and five years of big league service at the time of their agreements, indicating a trend of securing young, promising pitchers for the long term.
The deal comes as the Pirates look to solidify their pitching staff for the seasons to come. Keller, who has shown flashes of potential, will now have the stability of a long-term contract as he continues to develop with the team. The move also demonstrates the Pirates’ commitment to investing in their young talent and building for the future.
With the extension in place, the Pirates can now focus on other areas of improvement as they work towards becoming playoff contenders once again. The security and confidence that Keller’s extension brings could be a catalyst for the team’s growth and development in the coming years.