Report: Rangers, Diekman avoid arbitration with incentive-laden deal

Left-handed reliever Jake Diekman and the Texas Rangers have agreed to a one-year, $1.255-million deal, avoiding arbitration, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

Eligible for arbitration for the first time, Diekman's deal is also believed to be loaded with incentives. He earned a modest $535,500 for his services last season.

Diekman had filed for $1.55 million, while the Rangers countered with an offer of $975,000.

Acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies along with Cole Hamels at the non-waiver trade deadline last July, Diekman posted an impressive 2.08 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 20 strikeouts over 21 2/3 innings of work for the Rangers. He bettered those numbers in the postseason, allowing a single earned run over six innings against the high-powered Toronto Blue Jays.

Mitch Moreland is now the only player remaining in salary arbitration on the squad ahead of the 2016 season.