It wasn’t quite as last-minute as their deal with Miguel Montero this morning, but the Diamondbacks have also avoided arbitration with Ryan Roberts by signing him to a one-year, $2 million contract.
Roberts requested $2.275 million and Arizona countered at $1.65 million, so they settled slightly above the midpoint.
Roberts didn’t get an extended opportunity in the majors until age 28, when the Diamondbacks signed him after he was let go by both the Blue Jays and Rangers, so that represents a pretty nice payday in his first year of arbitration eligibility.
He’s hit .256 with a .342 on-base percentage and .427 slugging percentage in 289 games for Arizona and will be the Opening Day third baseman after Melvin Mora got that nod last year.
