Phillies reach $4.2 million deal with Gomez

BY AP • January 13, 2017

PHILADELPHIA (AP) The Phillies have avoided arbitration with reliever Jeanmar Gomez, agreeing on a $4.2 million, one-year deal with the right-hander.

Philadelphia exchanged arbitration figures with second baseman Cesar Hernandez. The team offered a raise from $525,000 to $2 million, and Hernandez asked for $2.8 million.

Gomez emerged as Philadelphia's closer in 2016 and was outstanding until September. He finished with a career-best 37 saves in 43 chances and was 3-5 with a 4.85 ERA. Gomez had a 2.97 ERA through August before allowing 17 earned runs in eight innings in the final month. He earned $1.4 million.

In his first full season replacing franchise icon Chase Utley at second base, the switch-hitting Hernandez established himself as the leadoff hitter. He led the team with a .294 batting average, hit 11 triples and stole 17 bases.

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