Dbacks settle with Pollock, Lamb, Ray, avoid arbitration
PHOENIX (AP) The Arizona Diamondbacks have reached one-year deals with center fielder A.J. Pollock, third baseman Jake Lamb and starters Robbie Ray and Taijuan Walker, avoiding salary arbitration with them and several other players.
Right-hander Shelby Miller was the only Arizona player left in salary arbitration, asking for $4.9 million and being offered $4.7 million as the sides exchanged figures Friday. He lost in arbitration last year, getting $4.7 million instead of the $5.1 million he sought.
The 30-year-old Pollock will get $7.75 million, up from the $6.75 million he made last season while hitting .266 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs. An All-Star in 2015, he missed nearly the entire 2016 season after breaking his elbow in a headfirst slide at home plate near the end of spring training.
Lamb received a $4,275,000 contract, Ray got $3.95 million and Walker received $4,825,000.
Also reaching deals were left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin for $1,195,000; right-hander Brian Boxberger at $1.85 million; outfielder David Peralta for $3.3 million, infielder/outfielder Chris Owings at $3.4 million, catcher Chris Herrmann at $1.3 million and shortstop Nick Ahmed at $1,275,000.
Lamb was a significant player in the lineup of the team that earned the top spot in the NL wild-card race last year. He hit 30 home runs with 105 RBIs.
Ray was 15-5 with a 2.89 ERA. The 26-year-old struck out 218 in 162 innings. Walker went 9-9 with a 3.49 ERA.
Chafin was the No. 1 lefty out of the bullpen. His 71 appearances were more than other Arizona pitcher. Boxberger, who agreed to a $1.8 million deal, is a former closer who had an American League-best 41 saves in 2015 has been bother by injuries the past two seasons. He was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay.
Left-hander Patrick Corbin agreed to a $7.5 million, one-year contract Thursday.
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