Salas, Cowgill agree to pacts to avoid arbitration

ANAHEIM -- The Angels avoided arbitration with right-hander Fernando Salas and outfielder Collin Cowgill on Friday. Salas received $1.37 million in his second of three arbitration-eligible years and Cowgill, a Super Two, got $995,000.

The club has not announced the agreements.

With Salas and Cowgill signed, the Angels have their three most expensive arbitration-eligible players remaining: third baseman David Freese, outfielder Matt Joyce and starter Garrett Richards.

Freese, heading into his last year before free agency, filed for $7.6 million and the Angels countered with $5.25 million. Joyce, also in his last arbitration year, filed for $5.2 million and the Angels countered with $4.2 million. Richards, a Super Two in his first of four arbitration years, filed for $3.8 million and the Angels countered with $2.4 million.

Earlier this offseason, MLB Trade Rumors projected $6.3 million for Freese, $4.9 million for Joyce and $4 million for Richards.

Arbitration hearings are scheduled for February, if necessary, but teams can negotiate all the way up to their scheduled hearings. The Angels, who haven't gone to arbitration since Jered Weaver in 2011, intend to do so.

Salas, 29, established himself as a reliable middle reliever in his first year with the Angels, posting a 3.38 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP while striking out 9.4 batters per nine innings in 57 appearances. Cowgill, 28, batted .250/.330/.354 in 293 plate appearances last year and has established himself as a valuable fourth outfielder.

Hector Santiago ($2.29 million), Cesar Ramos ($1,312,500) and Drew Butera ($987,500) avoided arbitration on Thursday.