The Pittsburgh Pirates have extended the contract of Francisco Cervelli through the 2019 season.

The total value of the deal, which added three years to his contract, is $31 million, according to a source. He can earn more through incentives. Cervelli will receive $9 million in 2017, $10.5 million in 2018 and $11.5 million in 2019.

"I want to thank the Pirates organization for believing in me," Cervelli wrote in The Players' Tribune on Tuesday. "Thanks to my teammates: I'm proud to call you guys brothers. And last but not least, to the fans: You guys keep me going every night. That's amore. Pittsburgh is a city with a lot of love. When I arrived here, people didn't know who I was. But it didn't take long for me to feel the love and respect that the people of Pittsburgh have. That's why I am coming back.

"Thank you for not giving up on me. I promise that I will never give up on this team."