Arrieta, Cubs avoid arbitration hearing

The Chicago Cubs and ace right-hander Jake Arrieta agreed to a one-year, $15,637,500 deal Friday, the day players and teams were to exchange proposed salary figures ahead of hearings.

Arrieta went 18-8 with a 3.10 ERA last season, helping Chicago to its first World Series title since 1908. He won the National League Cy Young Award in 2015 and is 54-21 with a 2.52 ERA in three-plus seasons with the Cubs.

The 30-year-old Arrieta is eligible for free agency after the upcoming season. In other deals:

Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals agreed to a $13,625,000 contract, avoiding arbitration and more than doubling the slugging outfielder’s salary two years before he can become a free agent for the first time.

Harper was paid $5 million by the NL East champion Nationals last season, when he struggled with injuries and took a big step back after becoming the youngest unanimous MVP in baseball history in 2015.

The Colorado Rockies and Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado agreed to a $29.5 million, two-year contract.

Arenado tied for the NL lead with 41 home runs last season and he drove in a major league-best 133 runs. He also won his fourth consecutive Gold Glove.

Kansas City Royals and all-star first baseman Eric Hosmer agreed on a $12.25 million contract for next season.

The 27-year-old Hosmer made $8.3 million last season in the second year of a $13.9 million, two-year contract that he signed to avoid arbitration in 2015. He has won three Gold Gloves and flashed more power at the plate last season, hitting .266 with a career high 25 homers and 104 RBI.