:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61979965/usa_today_11376395.0.jpg)
The Pittsburgh Pirates have declined Josh Harrison’s 2019 option.
As per Ken Rosenthal, the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to say goodbye to a fan favorite.
#Pirates decline $10.5M option on Josh Harrison, paying him $1M buyout and making him a free agent.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 31, 2018
Harrison leaves behind an 11.2 fWAR career with the Pirates, including his watershed 4.8-win season in 2014. Pressed into everyday action, Harrison responded with a .365 wOBA/137 wRC+. He would never come close to replicating those lofty figures, though to many fans, he was more than just numbers. He captured hearts and minds in the first year after the club snapped the 20-year streak, and held onto them for the most part in the intervening years.
UPDATE (WTM): The Pirates have also declined Jung-Ho Kang’s option.
The Pirates have declined their 2019 club options for Josh Harrison and Jung Ho Kang. Both are now free agents.
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) October 31, 2018