Baltimore Orioles

Schoop, Orioles agree to $8.5M deal, avoid arbitration

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:44 a.m. ET

BALTIMORE (AP) Second baseman Jonathan Schoop and the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to an $8.5 million, one-year contract.

The deal Tuesday was $250,000 above the midpoint between the $9 million Schoop asked for and the $7.5 million offered by the Orioles when the sides exchanged proposed salaries last month. Schoop can earn additional award bonuses.

A hearing had been scheduled for Thursday in Phoenix.

The 26-year-old made $3.55 million last year, when he was a first-time All-Star and hit .293 with 32 homers and 105 RBIs. He played in 160 games last season after participating in all 162 in 2016.

Schoop has a .264 career batting average with 89 homers and 272 RBIs. He is eligible for free agency after the 2019 season.

Baltimore right-hander Kevin Gausman remains scheduled for a hearing.

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