Donaldson, Bryant get record deals

Third basemen Josh Donaldson and Kris Bryant set records yesterday when they were among 145 players who agreed to one-year contracts rather than swap proposed salaries in arbitration with their teams.

Donaldson and Toronto agreed at $23 million, the largest one-year deal for an arbitration-eligible player. The 32-year-old, a three-time All-Star, topped the $21,625,000, one-year deal covering 2018 agreed to last May by outfielder Bryce Harper and Washington. Donaldson, the 2015 AL MVP, got a $6 million raise after hitting .270 last season with 33 homers and 78 RBI in 113 games.

Bryant settled with the Chicago Cubs at $10.85 million, the most for a player eligible for arbitration for the first time, bettering Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard, who was awarded $10 million in 2008. Bryant, the 2016 NL MVP, hit .295 with 29 home runs and 73 RBI last year when he made $1.05 million.

Baltimore third baseman Manny Machado agreed at $16 million, and Houston pitcher Dallas Keuchel agreed to a $13.2 million deal.

Among others signings: the Chicago White Sox agreed to a $13 million, one-year deal with slugger Jose Abreu; the Yankees reached contracts with shortstop Didi Gregorius at $8.25 million, pitcher Sonny Gray at $6.5 million and setup man Dellin Betances at $5.1 million; and NL batting champion Charlie Blackmon and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a $14 million, one-year contract.

Just 27 players swapped figures to go to hearings next month.