Mercer, Kontos sign; Cole reportedly agrees
(MLB.com Pittsburgh Pirates)

The Pirates and shortstop Jordy Mercer avoided an arbitration hearing by agreeing on Friday to a one-year, $6.75 million contract for this season. Gerrit Cole, going through arbitration for the second time amid serious trade rumors, avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $6.75 million deal, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.