Signing players to long-term contracts is a delicate process, requiring two parties with differing opinions to come to a very expensive decision. The other day, FanGraphs presented the case for signing Neil Walker to such a deal. Today Tom Singer points out the difficulties in getting Walker’s name on a long-term contract, as well as that of Pedro Alvarez.

By Tom Singer, MLB.com

The subject of contract extensions continues as the elephant in the locker room of the Pirates, who dearly want to retain control over the team’s engine.

It began with Jose Tabata in August 2011, GM Neal Huntington got his a month later, it continued with Andrew McCutchen last February and last week even Clint Hurdle got in on it.
So all eyes have fallen on Neil Walker, and possibly Pedro Alvarez.

But it may not happen any time soon for either — and not necessarily because of any foot-dragging by the front office. Rather, those players may not be gung-ho about getting locked into long-term contracts now.

Read the rest of the story.