The Athletics are rounding out their roster as spring training nears, signifying that the 2023 MLB season is right around the corner.
The A's reached one-year contract agreements with right-hander Paul Blackburn, utilityman Tony Kemp and outfielder Ramón Laureano on Friday, avoiding arbitration.
Blackburn wrapped up his sixth season with the A's in 2022, when he went 7-6 with a 4.28 ERA in 21 starts.
While the team didn't announce salary figures for all three players, MLB.com's Martin Gallegos cited a source in reporting that Blackburn will earn $1.9 million next season.
Kemp hit .235 with a .641 OPS in 147 games last season, but his bat came alive in the second half. The 31-year-old hit .278 with 13 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 32 RBI in 62 games after the All-Star break.
The utilityman also will receive a pay bump from $2.25 million, which he earned last season, to $3.725 million, per Gallegos.
Oakland Athletics
Laureano might hope 2023 will be better than 2022. The outfielder hit a career-low .211 with 13 home runs and 34 RBI in 94 games last season. The 28-year-old also missed time on the field due to being on the injured list and the suspended list.
Despite his challenging 2022, Laureano also will receive a pay increase. He'll earn $3.550 million after making $2.45 million last season, per Gallegos.
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In addition to signing all three players to one-year deals, the A's also announced Friday the arrival of Japanese right-hander Shintaro Fujinami, who signed a one-year contract.