Pittsburgh, PA – The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed year contract extension that runs through the 2016 season.
The deal, announced Sunday by the Pirates, also includes club options for 2017-19. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Tabata, 23, was acquired by the Pirates in July 2008 in a trade with the Yankees, and made his major league debut last year.
He hit .299 with a .346 on-base percentage, 29 extra-base hits and 19 stolen bases in 102 games in 2010. This year, he's hitting .267 with a .356 OBP, 18 extra-base hits and 15 stolen bases through 75 games.
Tabata has also demonstrated better plate discipline. In 2010, his strikeout- to-walk ratio was 57-28. This year, it's 48-36.
The extension locks up one member of the club's core of young players. The Tribune-Review reported Saturday that the Pirates are also working on a similar agreement with 25-year-old second baseman Neil Walker, while negotiations with 24-year-old outfielder Andrew McCutchen have slowed.
Tabata is one of few Pirates players under contract beyond 2011 -- most have one-year deals.
The contracts of pitcher Kevin Correia and outfielder Matt Diaz run through next season, while third baseman Pedro Alvarez is signed through 2012 with team options for two years after that.
Pitcher Paul Maholm, catchers Chris Snyder and Ryan Doumit, and infielder Ronny Cedeno have club options for 2012.
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