Lots of key pieces avoid arbitration on Friday.
Jake Odorizzi was the remaining player not signed to an arbitration deal on Friday. The team locked up deals with nine other players for the 2017 season and if the team and Odorizzi can’t come to terms on a long-term contract, the case will go before arbitrators to decide his 2017 salary. Since Stu Sternberg took over control of the Rays back in 2005, only Drew Smyly (2016) sits as the lone arbitration loss. Sternberg’s tenure has seen a 6-1 record when having to take a case before arbitrators.
The nine players to reach deals are two-time Gold Glover, CF Kevin Kiermaier ($2.975M), DH/LF Corey Dickerson ($3.025M), INF Tim Beckham ($855K), LHP Xavier Cedeno ($1.3M), RHP Alex Cobb ($4.2M), RHP Danny Farquhar ($900K), 1B Brad Miller ($3.57M), RHP Erasmo Ramirez ($3.21M), and RHP Brad Boxberger ($1.6M).
Odorizzi was the most consistent starter for the Rays in 2016 and had a stellar second half going 7-1 with a 2.71 ERA. He finished 2016 the only winning pitcher of the staff going 10-6 with a 3.69 ERA in a career-high 33 starts and 187.2 innings pitched, also a career-high.
