Cardinals rumors: Stephen Piscotty nears extension

The St. Louis Cardinals are close to finalizing a multiyear extension with right fielder Stephen Piscotty, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.

Piscotti’s extension is for six years with an option with $33.5 million guaranteed, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Heyman. The Cardinals have announced a press conference at 2 p.m. ET today. Ken Rosenthal confirmed via Twitter that the extension will be announced at the press conference.

The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Piscotty 36th overall in the 2012 MLB Draft. In his rookie season, Piscotty hit .305 with seven home runs and 35 RBI and finished sixth in Rookie of the Year balloting. In 2016, his first full MLB season, Piscotty hit .273 in 582 at bats, and slugged .457 with an OBP of .347. He has a career 3.7 Wins Above Replacement.

The 26-year-old Piscotty has only one year of MLB service time. Under his current contract, he would not have been eligible for arbitration until 2019, and would not have become a free agent until 2022.

Next: 14 Biggest MLB Brawls Ever

The Piscotty extension comes on the heels of two other major Cardinals offseason extensions. The Cardinals signed ace Carlos Martinez to a five-year, $51 million deal earlier this offseason, and then extended catcher Yadier Molina for three years at $60 million this past weekend.

St. Louis is trying to hold a core together that has the best chance of challenging the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central this season. The rotation is strong with Martinez, Adam Wainwright and Michael Wacha at the top. If the lineup with Matt Carpenter, Piscotty and Molina can produce, this could be a playoff team.