The Pittsburgh Pirates have won the right to negotiate with South Korean shortstop Jung-Ho Kang.

Pittsburgh has 30 days to sign the 27-year-old.

Kang hit .354 with 39 homers last season for the Nexen Heroes while being named the MVP of the Korean Baseball Organization.

If the Pirates reach an agreement with Kang, the Nexen Heroes would receive the posting fee for Kang's rights, reported to be $5,002,015 by Yonhap News Agency.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with Corey Hart.

The deal, which includes $2.5 million in performance bonuses, gives the Pirates a right-handed option at first base.

Hart, 32, hit .203 with six home runs and 21 RBI in 68 games for the Seattle Mariners in 2014.

The Pittsburgh Pirates were one of the finalists to sign free-agent Brandon McCarthy.

McCarthy ended up signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have taken steps towards reopening talks with Neil Walker on a contract extension.

The club recently spoke with Walker's camp about working toward a deal, according to sources.

There are no active negotiations and the two sides appear to be far apart in terms of financial figures.

"We would love nothing more than to have Neil Walker end his career as a Pirate," Neal Huntington said. "We understand he's a really good player. We understand the local implications and the local ties he has.

"There are two parties to a trade negotiation, a free agent negotiation, a contract extension. Sometimes those two parties find a common ground and a deal is struck. Sometimes they don't. If we get to that point, and hopefully we will, then we'll have an extension announcement for Neil. If not, we'll continue to do what we do behind the scenes and leave it at that."

The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired Antonio Bastardo from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Philadelphia will receive minor league left-hander Joely Rodriguez in return.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract with Francisco Liriano, according to sources.

Liriano has spent the past two seasons with the Pirates.

The 31-year-old went 7-10 with a 3.38 ERA last season. In 2013, he posted a career best in victories, finishing with a 16-8 record and a 3.02 ERA.

The Tampa Bay Rays have traded Sean Rodriguez to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later and cash.

Rodriguez was designated for assignment by the Rays last week.

The 29-year-old, who is eligible for salary arbitration, hit .211 in 237 at-bats and set career bests with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs for the Rays last season.