Jason Bay, coming off two of the best career-starting seasons in Pittsburgh Pirates history, has agreed to a multiyear contract with the club that will cover his arbitration-eligible seasons. The Pirates called an afternoon news conference Thursday to announce the signing of the 27-year-old outfielder. Bay made $355,000 last season after failing to reach terms with the team and having his contract automatically renewed. He was not eligible for arbitration until after next season and could not become a free agent until after 2009. Bay and the club have been discussing contracts as long as five years, which would include his arbitration-eligible seasons and his first year of free agency. "He's performed at a very high level, and we have a great deal of trust in what he's going to be able to do in the future," general manager Dave Littlefield said in September. "He's a fine representative of the Pirates. He's intelligent, courteous, humble, mature, a lot of positive things."