Major League Baseball

Brewers, Rodriguez reach deal to avoid arbitration

Published Jan. 18, 2012 3:18 a.m. ET

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The Milwaukee Brewers reached one-year deals with relievers Francisco Rodriguez and Kameron Loe on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration.

Rodriguez agreed to an $8 million contract and Loe's deal is worth $2,175,000.

Rodriguez, who had an $11.5 million salary last year, can make $625,000 in performance bonuses based on games finished: $125,000 each for 15, 20 and 25, and $250,000 for 30. Loe can earn bonuses of $25,000 for 60 games, $50,000 for 65 games, $50,000 for 70 games and $100,000 for 80 games.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said the team intends to keep Rodriguez rather than listening to trade proposals.

''I haven't necessarily looked at offers to trade him,'' Melvin said. ''My outlook has always been that he's part of this club.''

K-Rod arrived in Milwaukee in a trade with the New York Mets in July and pitched primarily in a setup role for closer John Axford. He made 31 appearances for the Brewers, going 4-0 with a 1.86 ERA.

''We feel very good about having him and Axford, and having them the whole year,'' Melvin said. ''We only had them half the season last year.''

Overall last season, Rodriguez was 6-2 with a 2.64 ERA. He had 23 saves, all with the Mets.

Rodriguez could have pursued free-agent opportunities as a closer in the offseason, but instead accepted the Brewers' arbitration offer. Rodriguez has 291 saves.

The Brewers have two remaining players who are eligible for arbitration; starter Shaun Marcum and reliever Jose Veras.

Milwaukee also reached an agreement with Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki, who received a two-year deal with a club option for 2014.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Melvin said it contains a ''fair amount'' of incentives.

Aoki's team, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, accepted the Brewers' bid of $2.5 million under the posting system in December. The Brewers had until 4 p.m. CT Tuesday to complete a contract.

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