MLB signings roundup: Jays, Donaldson reach record arbitration deal
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 million deal for 2018, which was finalized last May.
The 32-year-old Donaldson hit .270 with 33 home runs and 78 RBIs in 113 games 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, outfielder Ezequiel Carrera and left-handed reliever Aaron Loup to avoid arbitration. Sanchez reportedly received $2.7 million, Carrera signed for $1.9 million and Loup for $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.
--Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Patrick Corbin agreed to a one-year deal worth $7.5 million.
Corbin is 45-47 in five seasons with the Diamondbacks and posted a 14-13 record with a 4.03 ERA in 2017. He missed the 2014 season and part of the 2015 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
--Pitcher Matt Harvey and the New York Mets reached agreement on a $5.625 million salary for the 2018 season, avoiding arbitration.
Harvey, who was reportedly on the trade block in December, posted a 5-7 record and career-worst 6.70 ERA last season in 19 games (18 starts). He averaged a career-low 6.5 strikeouts per nine innings in 2017.
--Outfielder Aaron Hicks signed a one-year, $2.85 million contract with the New York Yankees.
Hicks made $1.35 million last season, batting .266 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs -- all career highs -- but also had two extended stints on the disabled list due to oblique injuries.
Reliever Tommy Kahnle also avoided arbitration with a one-year, $1.3 million deal.
--Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann, who hit .253 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs last season, agreed to a $2.375 million salary for 2018.
McCann, 27, was eligible for arbitration for the first time.
--Field Level Media
