Big deals for Harper, Machado, Arrieta

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 majorleaguers reached agreements for 2017 and left just 27 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.

“The timeline is kind of coming to an end, as far as, you know, leading up to free agency,” Arrieta said. “We got one more season as a Cub, and I’m really happy about that.”

Harper, who slumped after winning the 2015 NL MVP award, agreed at $13,625,000, leaving himself with one more year of arbitration eligibility.

Machado, the Orioles’ slugging third baseman and Gold Glove winner, got $11.5 million, and Britton, who led the AL in saves, accepted $11.4 million. Like Harper, both can be free agents after two more seasons.

Colorado Gold Glove third baseman Nolan 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 deal 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 302-224 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 at the start of the 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 left-hander 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.

Rangers:

A person with knowledge of the deal says the Texas Rangers and right-hander Tyson Ross have agreed on a $6 million, one-year contract.

The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical.

Ross, who made just one start for San Diego last season because of shoulder problems, becomes a candidate for a rotation led by aces Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish and including Martin Perez.

Another possible starter is another right-hander coming from the Padres: Texas native Andrew Cashner, who agreed to a deal in November.

The 29-year-old Ross, who pitched at Cal, is 32-53 with a 3.64 ERA in 153 career appearances, including 102 starts.

Texas also avoided salary arbitration with six of seven eligible players, topped by closer Sam Dyson getting a $3 million raise after making just over the major league minimum last season. Dyson agreed to a $3.52 million contract after taking over as closer for the AL West champions about a month into the season and finishing third in the AL with 38 saves.

Nationals:

Along with reaching agreement with Harper, Washington also reached oneyear deals with their three other arbitration-eligible players: Third baseman Anthony Rendon will earn $5.8 million next season, right-hander Tanner Roark gets $4,315,000 and new catcher Derek Norris agreed to $4.2 million.

Indians:

Cleveland reached agreement with four righthanders, closer Cody Allen, starter Danny Salazar and relievers Bryan Shaw and Zach McAllister.

Pirates:

Pittsburgh and ace Gerrit Cole reached agreement on a one-year deal that will pay him $3.75 million in 2017. That’s a significant bump over the $541,000 Cole made in 2016, when the team offered him just a $10,000 raise, a gesture that initially irritated Cole, after the former No. 1 pick won 19 games and made the All-Star team.

But the Pirates and closer Tony Watson failed to come to terms before Friday’s deadline, and will appear before three arbitrators next month if no agreement is reached.

Briefly:The

Marlins rewarded All-Star closer A.J. Ramos with a $6.55 million contract as Miami reached agreement on one-year deals with five of its six arbitration-eligible players. ... The Dodgers agreed to oneyear contracts for catcher Yasmani Grandal and pitchers Luis Avilan, Josh Fields and Alex Wood . ... The Braves acquired infielder Micah Johnson from the Dodgers for a player to be named or cash. Johnson spent most of the year with Triple-A Oklahoma City . ... Right-hander Michael Pineda ($7.4 million) and shortstop Didi Gregorius ($5.1 million) were among six Yankees who agreed to one-year contracts . ... A source said the Diamondbacks agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract with catcher Chris Iannetta . ... The Phillies avoided arbitration with reliever Jeanmar Gomez, agreeing on a $4.2 million, one-year deal with the right-hander.