Orioles, Gausman avoid arbitration with 1-year deal
The Baltimore Orioles announced Tuesday they avoided an arbitration hearing with right-hander Kevin Gausman and instead agreed to a one-year contract for 2018.
Gausman will reportedly earn a salary of $5.6 million for the campaign, sources told Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun. That represents a raise of more than $2 million for the 27-year-old, who was paid $3.45 million in 2017.
The deal also reportedly contains $150,000 worth of incentives, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
The arbitration hearing was scheduled for Wednesday prior to the agreement. Gausman had asked for $6.225 million, and Baltimore had countered at $5.3 million.
Last season, Gausman posted a 4.68 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across a team-high 34 starts. He also led all Orioles pitchers in innings pitched (186 2/3) and strikeouts (179). Hitters made plenty of contact against Gausman, though, as his 208 hits allowed ranked fourth in the American League.
By reaching the last-minute agreement, the Orioles managed to avoid going to arbitration with all seven of their eligible players.