Dallas Keuchel, Jackie Bradley Jr. others sign qualifying offers
Dallas Keuchel is among several players to reach a deal on Friday for a qualifying offer to avoid arbitration.
It’s a busy day around the MLB world, as several names are signing qualifying offers with their teams. Most of these, as will be noted, are simply to avoid arbitration. But that said, let’s take a quick look around the league.
The Houston Astros and left-hander Dallas Keuchel have reached an agreement on a one-year deal for $9.15 million. Keuchel went 9-12 in 2016, a year after his Cy Young season that saw him post a 20-8 record.
Keuchel is now scheduled to be a free agent following the 2018 season, and will headline a rotation that will include Lance McCullers, Collin McHugh, and Mike Fiers. The Astros will look to have a more productive season after last year’s 84-win team that ranked eighth in the AL in runs scored.
Zach Britton agrees to $11.4M deal with #Orioles to avoid salary arbitration. Nice reward for a huge year.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) January 13, 2017
Elsewhere around the league, a few more signings have taken place on this superstitious Friday the 13th. The Colorado Rockies and third baseman Nolan Arenado have agreed on a two-year deal worth $29.15 million. He will earn $11.75 million in 2017, and $17.75 million in 2018. He is set to be a free agent after the 2019 season.
Todd Frazier will stick around with the Chicago White Sox for at least one more season. The two sides nailed down a one-year $12 million deal. Frazier blasted 40 homers last year, but his overall production went down. This will be his final season before hitting the free agent market.
The Chicago Cubs agreed to a one-year, $5.8 million deal with pitcher Hector Rondon. This will avoid arbitration, like most of the above-mentioned deals will do. Rondon lost the closer job when Aroldis Chapman stormed into Wrigley last year, but his departure back to New York gives Rondon golden opportunity along with Wade Davis.
Also avoiding arbitration will be center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. The Boston Red Sox will keep him on board,, with a $3.6 million deal. The 26-year-old soared in 2016, with 26 homers, a league-best 29-game hitting streak and ended the year with his first Gold Glove. Currently, Bradley is not eligible for free agency until 2020.
The deadline for arbitration deals was Friday at 1:00 P.M. There may be a few announcements coming later, once confirmed, but these are the most notable so far. Make sure to check back with FanSided throughout the day for updates.