The Orioles and right-hander Kevin Gausman have struck a deal to avoid arbitration, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link). Gausman will earn a $3.45MM salary in 2017 – up from a $3.35MM midpoint – and could rake in $50K in incentives if he makes 30 starts and another $50K if he records 33.
MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz had projected a $3.9MM arbitration award for Gausman, whose hearing was set to take place this upcoming Tuesday. The 26-year-old is coming off his best season since his 2012 debut, having amassed 30 starts and registered a 3.61 ERA, 8.72 K/9, 2.35 BB/9 and 44.1 percent ground-ball rate across 179 2/3 innings. Gausman also induced infield fly balls at a 14.3 percent rate, which ranked fourth in the majors among qualified starters.
The Orioles had planned to employ a file-and-trial approach with all their arbitration-eligible players, including Gausman, though they scrapped it in his case. The club will also control Gausman via the arbitration process over the next three offseasons. The last unsigned player the Orioles have as the spring draws closer is reliever Brad Brach, whose hearing is scheduled for Feb. 16, per Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (Twitter link). Check out MLBTR’s arbitration tracker to keep up with this year’s cases.
What happened to file and trial?
Their star guy Russel Smouse retired so they don’t feel as comfortable now taking the chance. Especially with a guy like Gausman that they miscalculated their number on. Just like Brach he had a strong chance of winning
I would be curious as to where your getting the above info from…?
I also wonder whether the O’s consider Gausman too great a commodity (and a potential long-term signee) to insult and critique and offend through the arbitration process.
I’m happy they reached agreement but they should have been doing whatever it takes to lock him up on an extension. When Manny, Schoop, Jones, Britton are gone they will at least finally have pitching. Lock up Gausman now and Bundy next season if healthy. Trade the stars for a new and improved farm system.
Does anyone else thinks it’s really weird to write a post about a player avoiding arbitration but not even mention what numbers he and the team filed for?
No.
Just out of my own curiosity i calculated it would take me 46 years to earn this amount with my present salary. Makes me feel sad
Yeah. But 30,000 people don’t pile into your office every morning to watch you work, I’m assuming.
As long as the public continues to go to games, watch on tv, purchase merchandise, and support the sponsors….salaries will rise.