Major League Baseball

AP source: Pirates, OF Matt Diaz reach 2-year deal

Published Dec. 9, 2010 2:19 a.m. ET

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The Pittsburgh Pirates and outfielder Matt Diaz reached a preliminary agreement on a $4.25 million, two-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the deal is pending a physical and no announcement had been made.

The Pirates likely will platoon Diaz in right field with Garrett Jones. The 32-year-old Diaz hit .273 with seven homers and 31 RBIs in 84 games for Atlanta last season, when his salary was $2.55 million.

The season before, he batted .313 with 13 homers and 58 RBIs and had a .390 on-base percentage in 425 at-bats.

Diaz, a right-handed hitter, became a free agent after the Braves did not tender him a contract. He played left field with Atlanta, but Jose Tabata plays there for Pittsburgh. The deal makes it likely the Pirates will trade catcher-outfielder Ryan Doumit, who is owed $5.1 million next season.

Diaz can earn another $250,000 in performance bonuses: $125,000 each season.

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AP Sports Writer Mike Fitzpatrick in New York contributed to this report.

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