The Athletics and Brad Ziegler have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $1.25MM, reports ESPN's Buster Olney (on Twitter). The reliever was eligible for arbitration for the first time.
Ziegler, 31, pitched to a 3.26 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 60 2/3 innings last season. He famously started his career with a 39 1/3 inning scoreless streak, and in his three big league seasons he's limited right-handers to just a .230/.281/.284 batting line compared to .312/.419/.483 for lefties.
Oakland still has five unsigned players up for arbitration according to our Arb Tracker: Conor Jackson, Craig Breslow, Dallas Braden, Josh Willingham, and Kevin Kouzmanoff.
It’s too bad he is already 31.
Braden might demand a lot due to the Perfect Game.
Willingham is a candidate for a multi-year deal.
Jackson should settle for a low amount.
Breslow is set for a good haul, while Kouzmanoff’s negotiation might be heated with all the rumors of trying to acquire a new 3B, and his offensive down year.
Just a wild guess on what they’ll settle on…
Conor Jackson – $3.25 million
Kevin Kouzmanoff – $3.6 million
Dallas Braden – $3.5 million (or 2-years/$8 million, possibly 3-years/$15 million)
Craig Breslow – $1.9 million
Josh Willingham – $5.75 million