Source: Astros' Fiers gets $3.45M, avoids arbitration
HOUSTON -- The Astros agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.45 million with pitcher Mike Fiers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, a source told MLB.com. That figure is the midpoint between what Fiers had filed ($3.9 million) and what the Astros offered ($3 million). The team has not confirmed the contract.By
HOUSTON -- The Astros agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.45 million with pitcher Mike Fiers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, a source told MLB.com. That figure is the midpoint between what Fiers had filed ($3.9 million) and what the Astros offered ($3 million). The team has not confirmed the contract.
By striking a deal with Fiers, the Astros have three remaining arbitration-eligible players unsigned: starting pitcher
Fiers went 11-8 with a 4.48 ERA in 31 games (30 starts) for the Astros last year, allowing 187 hits and striking out 134 in 168 2/3 innings. He'll compete for a spot in the rotation this year with newcomer Charlie Morton, Joe Musgrove and Brad Peacock.
Gonzalez is asking for $4.2 million, and the Astros filed for $3.25 million; Harris is seeking $2.3 million, and the team filed for $1.95 million; and McHugh is asking for $3.85 million, and the team filed for $3.35 million.
If the players and the teams can't come to terms by the end of the month, they will head to a hearing in which a three-person arbitration panel will side with either the player or the team to determine a salary in 2017. The Astros have had one case go to arbitration since 2011, coming last year when
Brian McTaggart has covered the Astros since 2004, and for MLB.com since 2009. Follow @brianmctaggart on Twitter and listen to his podcast.