The Baltimore Orioles and closer Zach Britton avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $11.4 million contract.
Questionable move, tactically speaking, by the Orioles. If it were me I would’ve taken Britton to arbitration and counted on his lawyers not calling him to the stand when he was most needed.
On the merits, though, it’s a good deal for everyone. Britton earned a big raise after his 0.54 ERA/47-for-47 save 2016 season.
Britton will be arbitration-eligible one more time next year and can become a free agent following the 2018 season.