Arenado, Rockies agree to deal
Arrieta, Harper among those to avoid arbitration
NEW YORK — Colorado Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado, Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta, Washington star Bryce Harper and Baltimore standouts Manny Machado and Zach Britton got big-money deals Friday as more than 100 major leaguers reached agreements for 2017 and left just 28 players on track for salary arbitration.
After helping lead the Cubs to their first World Series title since 1908, Arrieta agreed to a one-year deal for $15,637,500. He can become a free agent after this season.
Harper, who slumped after winning the 2015 NL MVP award, agreed at $13,625,000, leaving himself with one more year of arbitration eligibility before he can go on the open market.
Machado, the Orioles’ slugging third baseman and Gold Glove winner, got $11.5 million, while Britton, who led the AL in saves, accepted $11.4 million. Like Harper, both can become free agents after two more seasons.
Arenado agreed to a $29.5 million, twoyear contract, one of just two multiyear deals among the 118 players who settled Friday. Third baseman Yangervis Solarte agreed to a two-year deal with San Diego, which was closing in on a long-term agreement with first baseman Wil Myers.
Only a handful of players are likely to go before three-person arbitration panels next month. Players won three of four hearings last year, their first winning record since 2011. Management has a 302224 advantage since arbitration started in 1974.
Other notable deals Friday were reached by 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel of Houston ($9.15 million), Kansas City first baseman Eric Hosmer ($12.25 million), Chicago White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier ($12 million), New York Mets starters Matt Harvey ($5,125,000) and Jacob deGrom ($4.05 million).
Mets closer Jeurys Familia, who led the major leagues in saves last year, agreed at $7,425,000 — but he may not get all of it. He faces a possible suspension this season under the sport’s domestic violence policy.
Among the players who didn’t settle, the largest amount asked for in arbitration was $8 million by Kansas City lefthander Danny Duffy, who was offered $7.25 million.
The largest gaps involved Boston lefthander Drew Pomeranz ($5.7 million vs. $3.6 million) and Yankees setup man Dellin Betances ($5 million vs. $3 million).
Houston has the most remaining players eligible for hearings with four: pitchers Mike Fiers, Will Harris and Collin McHugh plus first baseman Marwin Gonzalez. Baltimore has three: pitchers Brad Brach and Kevin Gausman, and catcher Caleb Joseph.
CUBS: It came as little surprise Friday that the Chicago Cubs named recently retired catcher David Ross as a special assistant to baseball operations.
Ross, 39, who recently retired after 15 seasons (including the last two with the Cubs), will now contribute to all elements of the Cubs’ baseball operations department, from major league operations, player development, pro scouting, to front office duties.
Ross also will assist in evaluating amateur players leading up to the June draft.
Ross batted .229 with 106 home runs and 314 RBIs in 883 games with seven organizations, and he hit a home run in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.