Mike Zunino, Blake Parker among those who avoid salary arbitration

Mariners catcher Mike Zunino has avoided arbitration agreeing to a new one-year deal worth $2.975 million.

Zunino, 26, had a break out season last year swatting 25 homers while posting a .840 OPS across 124 games. This was his first foray into arbitration. He gets a nice raise over the $570,000 he earned last season. His swing and miss tendencies are always going to anchor his value but he offers the Mariners lineup a nice powerful punch at the catcher position.

Zunino was not the only AL West player to avoid salary arbitration as Angels pitcher Blake Parker has also reached a new deal.

Parker, 32, figures to enter the season as the Angels closer after a 2017 that saw him post a 2.54 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 86/16 K/BB ratio over 67 1/3 innings.

Randal Grichuk has also avoided arbitration agreeing to a new $2.6 million contract with the Cardinals. Grichuk will start the season as the Cardinals fourth outfielder thanks to the presence of Dexter Fowler, Tommy Pham and the newly acquired Marcell Ozuna.

Grichuk hit 22 homers last season earning a raise over the $557,000 he made in 2017.

Rockies reliever Chris Rusin has also signed a new deal avoiding arbitration. The deal for the lefty is worth $1.2875 million. The Rockies will hope that Rusin can maintain his 2.65 ERA and 71/19 K/BB ratio from a year ago.

John Boarman
John Boarmanhttp://www.tireball.com
Founder and Owner of Tireball Sports.

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