LDN - Sports

MLB signings roundup: Jays, Donaldson reach record arbitration deal

[January 13, 2018] The Toronto Blue Jays and All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson reached agreement on a one-year deal worth $23 million for the 2018 season to avoid salary arbitration and break the record for the highest salary among players eligible for arbitration, according to multiple reports Friday.

The previous record for an arbitration-eligible player was Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper's $21,625,000 deal for 2018, which was finalized last May.

Donaldson, 32, hit .270 with 33 home runs and 78 RBIs last season. He missed 49 games mostly due to a calf injury.

The Blue Jays also agreed to one-year deals with right-handed starting pitcher and 2016 All-Star Aaron Sanchez, outfielders Kevin Pillar and Ezequiel Carrera and left-handed reliever Aaron Loup to avoid arbitration. Sanchez reportedly received $2.7 million, Pillar $3.25 million, Carrera $1.9 million and Loup $1.8 million.

--The Colorado Rockies and center fielder Charlie Blackmon agreed to a one-year deal worth $14 million.

The 31-year-old leadoff slugger nearly doubled his salary from last season when he made $7.3 million. He will be eligible for free agency after the 2018 season.

Blackmon hit .331 with 37 home runs and 104 RBIs for the Rockies last season. He set a major league record for most RBIs in a season by a leadoff hitter with 103 while batting from the top of the lineup.

--The Baltimore Orioles agreed to one-year deals with third baseman Manny Machado and injured closer Zach Britton, thus avoiding arbitration.

Machado's deal is for $16 million, while Britton will earn $12 million, according to multiple reports. Both players will be free agents at the end of the 2018 season.

Britton is likely to miss several months of the regular season after rupturing his Achilles tendon in December. The initial timeline for his return was set at six months.

--Third baseman Kris Bryant and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a first-year arbitration-eligible record contract worth $10.85 million in 2018.

Bryant, right-handed pitcher Kyle Hendricks and left-handed reliever Justin Wilson all agreed to deals before the arbitration deadline.

Bryant, 26, set a record last year with a one-year, $1.05 million contract, which set a new high for pre-arbitration eligible players.

--Other signings Friday (with reported salaries):

Baltimore Orioles: RHP Brad Brach ($5,165,000), SS Tim Beckham ($3.35 million)

Boston Red Sox: LHP Drew Pomeranz ($8.5 million), SS Xander Bogaerts ($7.05 million), OF Jackie Bradley Jr. ($6.1 million)

New York Yankees: SS Didi Gregorius ($8.25 million), RHP Sonny Gray ($6.5 million), RHP Dellin Betances ($5.1 million), OF Aaron Hicks ($2.85 million)

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Tampa Bay Rays: OF/DH Corey Dickerson ($5.95 million), RHP Alex Colome ($5.3 million)

Chicago White Sox: 1B Jose Abreu ($13 million)

Cleveland Indians: RHP Danny Salazar ($5 million)

Detroit Tigers: 3B Nicholas Castellanos ($6.05 million)

Kansas City Royals: RHP Kelvin Herrera ($7,937,500)

Houston Astros: LHP Dallas Keuchel ($13.2 million), C/DH Evan Gattis ($6.7 million)

Los Angeles Angels: RHP Garrett Richards ($7.3 million), RHP Matt Shoemaker ($4,125,000)

Seattle Mariners: LHP James Paxton ($4.9 million)

Texas Rangers: INF Jurickson Profar ($1.05 million)

New York Mets: RHP Jeurys Familia ($7,925,000), RHP Jacob deGrom ($7.4 million), RHP Matt Harvey ($5,625,000), RHP Noah Syndergaard ($2,975,000)

Philadelphia Phillies: 3B Maikel Franco ($2.95 million)

Washington Nationals: 3B Anthony Rendon ($12.3 million), RHP Tanner Roark ($6,475,000)

Chicago Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks ($4,175,000), SS Addison Russell ($3.2 million)

Cincinnati Reds: OF Billy Hamilton ($4.6 million)

Milwaukee Brewers: RHP Corey Knebel ($3.65 million)

Pittsburgh Pirates: RHP Gerrit Cole ($6.75 million)

St. Louis Cardinals: OF Marcell Ozuna ($9 million), RHP Michael Wacha ($5.3 million)

Arizona Diamondbacks: OF A.J. Pollock ($7.75 million), LHP Patrick Corbin ($7.5 million), RHP Taijuan Walker ($4,825,000), 3B Jake Lamb ($4,275,000), LHP Robbie Ray ($3.95 million)

Los Angeles Dodgers: LHP Alex Wood ($6 million)

San Francisco Giants: 2B Joe Panik ($3.45 million)

--Field Level Media

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