Angels avoid arbitration with Cowgill, 3 others

ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Los Angeles Angels have avoided arbitration with outfielder Collin Cowgill, new catcher Drew Butera and relievers Cesar Ramos and Fernando Salas.

The Angels completed four deals Friday. They hadn't reached agreements yet with third baseman David Freese, outfielder Matt Joyce and right-hander Garrett Richards, their three most expensive arbitration-eligible players.

The Angels will pay Ramos $3.55 million after acquiring him in a trade with Tampa Bay last November. He made $749,750 last season.

Cowgill got a $995,000 deal, a raise from $506,000 last year.

Butera will get $987,500 this season after making $800,000 last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Salas will make $1.37 million this season, up from $870,000.

The Angels haven't gone to an arbitration hearing since 2011.