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Giants, Buster Posey Avoid Arbitration

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The Giants and Buster Posey avoided arbitration with a one-year, $8MM contract, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Twitter links). CAA represents Posey.

Posey was arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason. His resume includes two World Series titles and the 2012 MVP award, so MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected a $5.9MM salary for him in 2013. Swartz examined Posey's case in detail earlier in the month, explaining how a salary that high is possible for a first time eligible player. Posey, a super two, remains under team control through 2016.

The Giants are expected to discuss an extension with Posey this winter, Schulman reported earlier in the week. Today's agreement won't prevent the sides from having discussions about a long-term deal. Instead, it provides a starting point for future negotiations.

Tigers, Rick Porcello Avoid Arbitration

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The Tigers avoided arbitration with Rick Porcello, agreeing to a one-year deal, MLBTR has learned. The right-hander will earn $5.1MM in 2013. He is a client of Excel Sports Management.

Porcello, 24, received a $2MM raise for his second time through arbitration, exceeding Matt Swartz's projection.  The former first-round pick is under team control through 2016, though given recent rumors, he may spend his remaining arbitration years with another team.

Nationals, Stammen Agree To Two-Year Deal

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112:37pm: It's a $2.25MM deal, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports (on Twitter).

11:42am: The Nationals agreed to a two-year deal with reliever Craig Stammen, avoiding arbitration. Stammen's agency, Paragon Sports International, announced the deal on Twitter.

The deal buys out two of Stammen's four seasons as an arbitration eligible player. The right-hander had been first time eligible as a super two player this winter. MLBTR had projected a $900K salary for Stammen this winter.

Orioles, Matt Wieters Avoid Arbitration

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The Orioles avoided arbitration with Matt Wieters, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). The Scott Boras client obtained a $5.5MM contract for 2013, and topped even the most aggressive of estimates from MLBTR's resident arbitration forecaster, Matt Swartz.

Wieters, 26, easily topped Russell Martin's former first-time catcher arbitration record of $3.9MM, set in 2009.  However, Buster Posey raised the bar well beyond Wieters, reaching $8MM today.  

Wieters remains under team control through 2015 and recently expressed interest in staying with the Orioles long-term.  However, Boras clients rarely surrender free agent years while they're arbitration eligible, unless it's a precedent-setting deal.

Of the Orioles' 11 arbitration eligible players, Jim Johnson, Jason Hammel, and Darren O'Day remain unsigned, according to the club, meaning figures have been exchanged.

Indians, Chris Perez Avoid Arbitration

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The Indians avoided arbitration with Chris Perez, his agency, CAA Sports, announced on Twitter. Perez will earn $7.3MM plus bonuses in 2013.

MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz had projected a $7.2MM salary for the right-hander. The 27-year-old had been arbitration eligible for the third time. He remains under team control through 2014.

Giants, Pence Avoid Arbitration

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The Giants avoided arbitration with Hunter Pence, agreeing to a one-year, $13.8MM contract for 2013, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). Beverly Hills Sports Council represents the right fielder.

In his work for MLBTR, Matt Swartz projected Pence would earn precisely $13.8MM in his final year of arbitration eligibility. Pence, a super two player, will hit free agency following the 2013 season. Pence's $13.8MM salary establishes a new high for arb eligible players this offseason, surpassing Matt Garza's $10.25MM salary.

The Giants have five remaining arb eligible players, as MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker shows. Joaquin Arias, Gregor Blanco, Clay Hensley, Buster Posey and Sergio Romo are San Francisco's other eligible players.

Blue Jays Notes: Reyes, Lyon, Happ

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Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos introduced Jose Reyes in Toronto yesterday, explaining that players of Reyes’ caliber are difficult to find. “He’s electric,” Anthopoulos said. “High energy, smile on his face, just so many things. This is a rare guy to find. Leadoff, shortstop, energy, makeup — check off every single box.” Here are some more notes on the Blue Jays with Spring Training just a month away…

  • Before the Blue Jays acquired Reyes, they had been “really close” to another trade that would have had a similar impact on their 2013 payroll, Anthopoulos said. They discussed the deal toward the end of October, when option decisions were due.
  • The Blue Jays continue to seek a 25th man to round out their roster. Anthopoulos said last week that the Blue Jays would like to add a right-handed bench player capable of playing multiple infield positions. That said, the Blue Jays could add such a player in Spring Training.
  • Don’t expect another deal in the near future. “We’re not having any dialogue at all with respect to trades,” Anthopoulos said.
  • The Blue Jays could add a player or two on minor league deals and under the right circumstances they could add a player to the 40-man roster.
  • Anthopoulos hopes the rotation provides enough innings that the team doesn’t need to seriously consider an eight-man bullpen. The Blue Jays have a pretty full bullpen, so it doesn’t appear as though free agent right-hander Brandon Lyon will return. “I don’t want to ever close the door on him, since he did a great job for us,” Anthopoulos said.
  • The GM stressed the importance of starting pitching depth and explained that players such as Justin Germano, Brad Lincoln and J.A. Happ provide the club with options.
  • The Blue Jays are a ‘file and trial’ team meaning if they exchange filing numbers with players they go to a hearing. Anthopoulos said he’s “hopeful” and “optimistic” that the Blue Jays could reach deals with their three remaining eligible players by today’s deadline. Emilio Bonifacio, Happ and Josh Thole are Toronto’s eligible players, as MLBTR’s Arbitration Tracker shows. Assistant GM Jay Sartori is leading the way for the Blue Jays as they negotiate with their players.
  • Though the Blue Jays look like an improved team, Anthopoulos cautioned that many of their American League rivals have also added significant pieces. “You can’t take anything for granted,” he said. “We haven’t even played a game yet. We still have to win a game, and we have to win a lot more than one. The whole division is outstanding.”

Indians, Stubbs Avoid Arbitration

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The Indians avoided arbitration with Drew Stubbs, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports (on Twitter). The LSW Baseball client will earn $2.825MM in 2013 on a deal that includes $50K in performance bonuses.

Stubbs had a projected salary of $2.9MM following a season in which he posted a .213/.277/.333 batting line with 14 home runs in 544 plate appearances as Cincinnati's starting center fielder. The Indians acquired the 28-year-old from the Reds in a three-team trade last month.

As MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker shows, the Indians have six outstanding arb cases. Matt Albers, Mike Aviles, Lou Marson, Justin Masterson, Chris Perez and Joe Smith remain eligible.

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