The Mets and first baseman Lucas Duda avoided arbitration on Thursday, agreeing to a $7.25 million salary for the 2017 season, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.
Duda, 30, was eligible for arbitration in his fourth and final year. He can become a free agent after the 2017 season. This past season, Duda was limited to 47 games due to a stress fracture in his back. In 172 plate appearances, he hit .229/.302/.412 with seven home runs and 23 RBI.
Duda will attempt to reestablish his value in his walk year. There’s reason to believe he can do it as he posted at least an .830 OPS with at least 27 home runs in 2014 and ’15.