PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates made two interesting decisions to complement a pair of expected decisions ahead of the non-tender deadline on Tuesday.

Pittsburgh tendered contracts to outfielder Bryan Reynolds and reliever Chris Stratton ahead of the 8 p.m. ET cutoff, keeping two of the most productive Bucs in the fold. The only player who they did not tender a contract to was right-hander Chad Kuhl, one of the most veteran Pirates remaining on the restructured team.

In addition, Kevin Newman -- one of the top candidates for a non-tender decision after scuffling at the plate in 2020-21 -- agreed to a one-year deal, the club announced. A source told MLB.com the contract is worth $1.95 million.

Kuhl, whom the Pirates selected in the ninth round of the 2013 Draft, recorded a 4.43 ERA as a starter in 2021, his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in ‘18. That included a two-month stretch from May 31 to July 29 with a 3.86 ERA, a span during which he went into the sixth inning in six of those 10 starts.

However, after a stint on the COVID IL late in the season, the Pirates stuck him in the bullpen beginning on Aug. 21 to get his arm back in shape. That didn’t fare well for his stat line -- he recorded a 6.75 ERA in 14 relief appearances -- and he didn’t get another shot to start.

The Pirates acquired Zach Thompson from the Marlins in their package for catcher Jacob Stallings, and Thompson fits the role Kuhl held with Pittsburgh -- a starter/piggyback guy who can cover innings. 

“He's been honest and we've had really good conversations with him about his desire to start,” GM Ben Cherington said of Kuhl. "We just felt like at this particular time it was best for him and all of us to give him a chance to get into free agency and see what happens for him there."

The move to tender a contract to Newman is somewhat surprising when one looks at his results last season. Newman ended the first half with a .210 batting average and a .525 OPS, and despite a near return to form from mid-August to mid-September, he only increased those numbers to .226 and .574 by the close of the campaign.

However, even with a crowded list of middle infielders on the 40-man roster, Newman’s great defense in 2021, which led to him being an NL Gold Glove Award finalist at shortstop, is prized by the Pirates. On a one-year deal, he could likely be a bridge player until some of Pittsburgh’s top shortstop prospects are ready for everyday reps, and the Bucs would like to see the former first-rounder get back to the hitting ability he showed in ‘19, when he batted .308 as a rookie.

“When players can do certain things really well, sometimes all it takes is just a little improvement in other things to make them a much more complete player,” said Cherington, who added that shortstop and second base will be an open competition. “He does some things already really well that give him a solid floor as a player.”

Reynolds -- a 2021 All-Star and NL Gold Glove Award finalist -- being tendered a contract is the furthest thing from a shock. The center fielder hit .302 with 35 doubles, an MLB-leading eight triples and 24 homers in 159 games, showcasing his raw hitting skills, power potential and durability day in and day out.

Stratton became one of the Pirates’ closing options by season’s end, but he provided for the team in long relief and other leverage roles, too. The right-hander recorded a 3.63 ERA with eight saves -- including a 3 2/3-inning save -- in 68 appearances in 2021.

The Pirates’ 40-man roster is now at 39 players.