Rangers sign Rua for '18 to avoid arbitration

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have avoided an arbitration hearing with outfielder Ryan Rua by reaching agreement on a one-year, $870,000 contract for the 2018 season.
Rua became arbitration-eligible this offseason under the "Super Two" rule by having two years and 129 days of service time. Pitchers Jake Diekman and Keone Kela, and infielder Jurickson Profar are the Rangers' other three potential arbitration cases and are still unsigned.
Clubs are scheduled to exchange arbitration figures with players on Friday and hearings will he held Jan. 29 to Feb. 17 in Florida. The Rangers have not had an arbitration hearing with a player since Lee Stevens in 2000.
Rua played in 63 games for the Rangers in 2017, hitting .217 with three home runs, 12 RBIs, a .294 on-base percentage and a .333 slugging percentage. He was used both in left field and at first base.
Rua's versatility remains a significant asset, as well as being a right-handed hitter on a team with a left-handed-heavy lineup. He could compete with left-handed-hitting Willie Calhoun and Drew Robinson in left field, although the Rangers are not done putting together their 2018 roster.