Longtime Pirate Josh Harrison Signs 1-Year Deal With Tigers

Josh Harrison, who has played his entire 8-year MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, has a new address. Harrison, 31, signed a one year, $2 million contract with the Detroit Tigers and is expected to be their everyday second baseman - for now.

I say for now because Dawel Lugo is expected to be the Tigers' second baseman of the future, but needs seasoning with the Triple-AAA Toledo Mud Hens. How much seasoning depends on both Harrison and the Tigers. If Harrison plays well and the Tigers don't then expect Detroit to trade Harrison to a contender and to bring up Lugo in mid-season.

In his eight seasons with the Pirates, Harrison played 842 games, collected 773 hits for a lifetime batting average of .277 with 52 HR and 269 RBI. Harrison was named to the NL All-Star Team in both 2014 and 2017. A fractured left hand last April limited Harrison to 97 games in 2018 during which he hit .250 with 8 HR and 37 RBI.

Harrison has a penchant for breaking up no-hitters. Former Tiger Justin Verlander would have three no-hitters on his resume if Harrison didn't break it up with two outs in the 9th inning back in May 2012. More than five years later, in August 2017, Harrison hit a walk off home run in the 10th inning off Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill who had thrown 9 no-hit innings against the Bucs.

When Harrison isn't breaking up no-hitters, he has a penchant for avoiding getting tagged in rundowns.

Harrison will probably only be in Tiger uniform for a year - if that. But I suspect he will leave Detroit fans with a positive impression before moving on.