The Houston Astros have avoided arbitration with the last player they needed to. Slugger Evan Gattis has agreed to terms with the team.
The two sides were scheduled for an arbitration hearing on Tuesday, but managed to avoid having their case go before a panel. Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle was the first to report an agreement was reached and he also added the deal is for $3.3 million in 2016 in addition to a $5.2 million team option for 2017 or a $100,000 buyout.
Houston confirmed that the club avoided arbitration with Gattis shortly after on Twitter, but they didn't provide any of the financial details.
The Astros have signed Evan Gattis to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.
— Houston Astros (@astros) February 16, 2016
"The Astros have agreed to a one-year contract with Evan Gattis, General Manager Jeff Luhnow announced today. The deal includes a club option for 2017. Financial terms were not disclosed," the team said in a press release.
"As a result of the deal, all of the Astros arbitration-eligible players are now signed."
MLBTradeRumors.com projected Gattis to earn $3.4 million in arbitration this season. He filed for a $3.8 million salary in 2016 and the Astros countered with $3 million. The 29-year-old earned the league minimum in 2015 after batting .246/.285/.463 with 66 runs scored, 27 home runs and 88 RBI.
Gattis came over in a trade with the Atlanta Braves last offseason and immediately contributed to the Astros by helping them make the postseason for the first time since 2005. This was his first season as an arbitration-eligible player.
The 2017 team option in this agreement will not affect his free-agent timeline. He will still be under club control through the 2018 season and the Astros will maintain that control over him unless he is non-tendered over the next two offseasons.
Stay tuned for an official announcement on Gattis' salary for 2016 as well as the team option for 2017.
