Crew clears arbitration cases, signs Estrada, Francisco
Pitcher inks $3.325 million contract; infielder agrees to $1.35 million deal
The Brewers went 2-for-2 and closed out their arbitration season successfully on Friday by signing pitcher Marco Estrada and first baseman-third baseman Juan Francisco to 2014 contracts.
Both players agreed to terms shortly before the noon CT deadline for exchanging salary figures with the club, thereby avoiding the arbitration process and the possibility of a hearing.
Estrada reportedly signed for $3.325 million, up from the $1.955 million he earned last year. Francisco's salary is reported to be $1.35 million; he made $496,250 in 2013. Both also received performance-bonus provisions.
This was Estrada's second time of arbitration-eligibility. Last year he made 21 starts, going 7-4 with a 3.87 ERA, but missed about two months because of back and hamstring injuries.
Francisco, acquired from the Braves last June to play first base, had a combined average of .227 for the two teams with 18 home runs, 48 RBIs and 138 strikeouts in 348 at-bats. After joining the Brewers, he hit .221.