Staff ace Cole, shortstop Mercer agree to deals with Pirates (Yahoo Sports)

The Pittsburgh Pirates reached one-year deals with ace Gerrit Cole and shortstop Jordy Mercer on Friday but will head to arbitration with closer Tony Watson. Cole will make $3.75 million this season, a significant bump over the $541,000 he earned in 2016. Mercer shook out of an early slump to hit .256 with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs in 149 games in 2016 and will make $4,325,000 in 2017.