Blue Jays Re-Sign Munenori Kawasaki
The Blue Jays announced that they’ve re-signed popular infielder Munenori Kawasaki to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training.
Kawasaki, a fan favorite due to his affable nature and quirky sense of humor, has batted .244/.327/.302 in 563 plate appearances for the Blue Jays over the past two seasons. The versatile 33-year-old is known more for his glove than his bat and is capable of handling second base, shortstop and third base.
Phillies Claim Jordan Danks From White Sox
The Phillies announced that they have claimed outfielder Jordan Danks off waivers from the White Sox. Danks, the 28-year-old brother of left-handed pitcher John Danks, is an outfielder capable of playing all three outfield positions. He was designated for assignment when the White Sox signed Emilio Bonifacio.
Reds, Mike Leake Avoid Arbitration
The Reds have avoided arbitration with pitcher Mike Leake, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. The two sides agreed to a one-year, $9.775MM deal.
Leake, 27, was projected to earn $9.5MM by Matt Swartz’s model. The new deal represents a healthy pay bump for the right-hander, who earned $5.9MM in 2014.
Leake pitched to a 3.70 ERA with 6.9 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in 33 starts last season, his third straight campaign with 30+ starts. Advanced metrics such as xFIP (3.49) were kinder to him than ERA last season. This was Leake’s final year of arbitration eligibility and he’ll be able to hit the open market next winter.
White Sox Avoid Arbitration With Samardzija, Flowers
The White Sox have avoided arbitration with righty Jeff Samardzija and backstop Tyler Flowers, Dan Hayes of CSNChicago reports on Twitter. This pair, along with the already-signed Dayan Viciedo, represented the largest expected arb payouts for Chicago.
Samardzija, acquired earlier in the winter from the Athletics, will earn $9.8MM in his final pass through arbitration, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. That represents a near match for the $9.5MM projected by MLBTR’s Matt Swartz. His relatively manageable pay rate, in spite of an excellent 2014, shows the importance of having a high first-year arb salary to build from.
Flowers will earn $2.675MM according to Mike Perchick of WAPT (Twitter link), while Swartz had pegged him to earn a shade over $2MM in his first season of eligibility. He had a solid overall year at bat in 2014, slashing .241/.297/.396 in 442 plate appearances and swatting 15 home runs.
Remember to check MLBTR’s Arbitration Tracker for the latest updates.
Orioles Avoid Arbitration With Wieters, Davis, Tillman, Matusz
The Orioles have avoided arbitration by agreeing on one year deals with three players, according to reports. Catcher Matt Wieters, corner infielder/outfielder Chris Davis, righty Chris Tillman, and lefty Brian Matusz all have reached terms for 2015.
After missing most of 2014, Wieters will earn $8.3MM in his final year of arbitration, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick (via Twitter). That represents a $600K bump over his salary last year, a much lower figure than would have been expected coming into the season. The 28-year-old saw only 112 plate appearances, slashing an impressive .308/.339/.500 in that short sample, before succumbing to right elbow issues that ultimately required Tommy John surgery.
Davis also will receive a much lower raise than seemed likely before 2014, in his case due to performance issues and a late-season suspension. He will take home $12MM, up from $10.35MM last year, per Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz was right on the mark with a $11.8MM projection for the slugger. Davis can also earn bonuses of $150K upon his 500th and 575th trips to the plate and $50K each for an All-Star appearance, Gold Glove award, or Silver Slugger nod.
Tillman, meanwhile, has settled for $4.315MM, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. Connolly was first to report (on Twitter) that a deal had been reached. The 26-year-old becomes the second-highest-paid first-time arb-eligible starter in MLB history. As Swartz wrote recently, Tillman seemed likely to come in just under the record, and fall shy of the $5.4MM projection that Swartz’s model produced.
As for Matusz, he will play for $3.2MM next year, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com tweets. That constitutes a nice increase over Swartz’s projection of $3.2MM. Soon to turn 28, Matusz was again effective from the pen last year, tossing 51 2/3 frames of 3.48 ERA ball.
Marlins Avoid Arbitration With Cishek, Gordon
The Marlins and closer Steve Cishek have dodged arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $6.65MM pact, tweets Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports adds that Dee Gordon has also agreed to terms on a $2.5MM deal for next season. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected respective salaries of $6.9MM and $2.5MM for the pair.
Nationals Avoid Arbitration With Doug Fister
The Nationals and Doug Fister have agreed to an $11.4MM salary for his final year of club control, thereby avoiding arbitration, per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (Twitter link). Fister’s salary is an exact match with the projection of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz.
Dodgers, Kenley Jansen Avoid Arbitration
The Dodgers and Kenley Jansen have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $7.425MM deal, tweets Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times. That sum falls shy of the projection of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz, whose model estimated a salary of $8.2MM.
Rockies, Jhoulys Chacin Avoid Arbitration
The Rockies and right-hander Jhoulys Chacin have avoided arbitration, agreeing to a one-year, $5.5MM deal, tweets Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Chacin, whom MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected to earn $4.9MM in 2015, will be a free agent next winter.
Brewers, Gerardo Parra Avoid Arbitration
The Brewers announced today that they’ve avoided arbitration with outfielder Gerardo Parra by agreeing to a one-year deal. MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy reports (via Twitter) that Parra will earn $6.2375MM — a nearly identical sum to the one projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz.