McLouth update

The salaries on Nate McLouth's new contract are out.

He reportedly gets a $1.5 million signing bonus and a $2 million salary this season. In 2010, that jumps to $4.5 million and $6.5 in 2011. There is also a $10.65 million club option for 2012 with a $1.25 million buyout. There are also performance bonuses included in each year of the contract that, if reached, could make the total value of the contract around $27 million.

“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Nate on a multi-year contract that gives us the ability to keep him in a Pirates uniform through at least the 2012 season,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said in a statement released by the club. “Nate is a quality person off the field and a talented, intelligent player that plays the game the right way on the field. His dedication, work ethic and commitment should serve as an example on how to approach the game."

This a good move for the Pirates and a much-needed P.R. boost to boot.

McLouth, along perhaps catcher Ryan Doumit, is the new face of the franchise. He's been built up as much all winter and is an important part of the organization moving ahead off the field.

On the field, he is coming off a career year and should be rewarded as such. A team needs to be strong up the middle in baseball and the Pirates have two important pieces in McLouth and Doumit.

Both Huntington and team president Frank Coonelly have a plan and they are sticking with it, signing the young talent to long-term deals to take away their arbitration years. Huntington knows the plan can work as he saw first-hand as a member of the Cleveland organization and he's hoping the same happens in Pittsburgh.

It will be up to the players to perform and earn these new contracts.