This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Bradenton, Fla. • Starling Marte wants to be part of what he hopes will be a long run of success for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Less than two years after his major league debut, the 25-year-old outfielder finalized a $31 million, six-year contract with the Pirates on Thursday.
"There are a lot of reasons," Marte said through interpreter Peter Greenberg, his agent. "I didn't feel I needed to wait because I like where I am. I have confidence in the organization and I feel comfortable."
Marte receives a $2 million signing bonus from the Pirates, who are coming off their first postseason appearance since 1991.
He will receive salaries of $500,000 this season, $1 million next year, $3 million in 2016, $5 million in 2017, $7.5 million in 2018 and $10 million in 2019.
Clark new head of MLB players' union
Tony Clark has been confirmed as the new head of the Major League Baseball Players Association.
The former All-Star became acting executive director when Michael Weiner died Nov. 21, then was given the job in a unanimous vote by the union's executive board on Dec. 3.
The union said Thursday that Clark was approved in a secret ballot and online vote conducted among players.
Judge tosses lawsuit by FanFest volunteer
A New York judge has tossed out a lawsuit by a volunteer at July's baseball All-Star FanFest who claimed 2,000 volunteers should have been paid by Major League Baseball.
Federal Judge John Koeltl in Manhattan says the league was protected by an exemption from federal minimum wage laws for temporary amusement or recreation establishment events. The judge's findings were released publicly Wednesday.
John Chen's lawsuit had sought lost wages. He said federal and state minimum wage laws were violated when the league recruited volunteers to operate 40 attractions at an event advertised as "the largest interactive baseball theme park in the world" July 12-16.
Chen's lawyer, Justin Swartz, says they are "just in the early innings." He says they plan to pursue the case in state court.
Around the league
Astros • The Houston Astros have claimed outfielder Alex Presley off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. The Astros made the move Thursday. They designated left-hander Raul Valdes for assignment. The 28-year-old Presley has played for the Twins and Pittsburgh over the last four seasons.
Mariners • The Seattle Mariners hope Chris Young can solidify the back of their rotation until their staff gets healthy. The 34-year-old right-hander agreed Thursday to a $1.25 million, one-year contract after Seattle released veteran starters Randy Wolf and Scott Baker this week.