Flaherty, McFarland reportedly avoid arbitration with O's

The Orioles reached new contract agreements with utility man Ryan Flaherty and pitcher T.J. McFarland on Thursday to avoid arbitration, according to separate reports from BaltimoreBaseball.com and MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman.
The club has not confirmed either agreement.
Flaherty, 30, was signed to a one-year deal for $1.8 million for 2017 after hitting .217/.291/.318 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 176 plate appearances last season. He appeared at every infield position but catcher last season, with the majority of his playing time coming in 40 games at third base. He also played right field and left field.
McFarland, 27, agreed to a one-year, $685,000 deal for this season. The left-hander struggled to a 6.93 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP in 16 appearances out of the bullpen for Baltimore in 2016, far above his career 4.27 ERA. The Orioles optioned McFarland to Triple-A Norfolk in August.