Report: Orioles, Britton avoid arbitration with huge raise

Zach Britton's exceptional season netted him a massive raise in 2017.

The Baltimore Orioles avoided arbitration with the star closer, settling for a one-year, $11.4-million deal, a source told Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith. Last season, Britton made $6.75 million.

During negotiations, the Orioles and Britton's agent Scott Boras discussed a potential multi-year deal, but those talks didn't go anywhere, a source told Dan Connolly of Baltimore Baseball.com.

In his first three seasons with the Orioles, the left-hander was used as a starter, and it didn't go very well. He struggled to the tune of a 4.77 ERA over 46 starts.

In 2014, he was converted to the team's closer, and he's been lights out ever since. Over the last three seasons, he compiled a stellar 1.38 ERA and 120 saves.

Last year, he finished fourth in American League Cy Young voting after posting a 0.54 ERA and 47 saves over 67 innings of work.

This was Britton's second time going through arbitration. He'll be eligible one more time and can become a free agent after the 2018 season.