Detroit finalizes one-year deals with Smyly, six others

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Tigers continued to progress toward finalizing contracts for the rest of their 40-man roster by reaching agreements on one-year deals with third baseman Nick Castellanos, outfielder Steven Moya, left-handers Drew Smyly and Kyle Lobstein, and relievers Jose Ortega, Luke Putkonen and Evan Reed.

The seven deals leave just eight players left to sign on the 40-man roster. All eight, as well as the seven who signed, are not yet arbitration eligible. If the two sides can't reach an agreement by a March deadline, the team can unilaterally renew a player's contract for a year at a set salary. Some agents and players opt for that route to help a potential arbitration case in future seasons.

Of the seven signings, only Smyly and Putkonen have more than a year of service time. Smyly, who will be part of the Tigers' rotation after spending last year in Detroit's bullpen, could potentially become eligible for arbitration next winter, coming close enough to three full seasons of Major League service to qualify as a Super-2.