Per Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle, the Astros avoided arbitration with right-handed reliever Will Harris on a two-year, $5 million deal. The contract figure breaks down to a $2.2 million salary for the 2017 season and $2.8 million in 2018. It also includes a club option for 2019, though Kaplan points out that Harris was already under club control through 2019 and will be eligible for a final round of arbitration if the Astros decline his option.
Prior to settling, the two sides were $350,000 apart in arbitration figures. Harris filed at $2.3 million, which was met with $1.95 million from the Astros. The multi-year deal spares both sides an arbitration hearing later this month.
Harris, 32, rounded out his second year with Houston in 2016. He earned his first career All-Star nomination and pitched through 64 innings with a 2.25 ERA, 2.1 BB/9 and 9.7 SO/9, putting up a total 1.8 fWAR for the club.
