Major League Baseball

Ziegler, D-backs agree to 2-year, $10.5M deal

Published Dec. 20, 2013 11:15 p.m. ET

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The Arizona Diamondbacks have avoided arbitration with Brad Ziegler by agreeing to a two-year, $10.5 million contract with the right-handed reliever.

Ziegler revealed the agreement via Twitter, saying he's ''really excited to stay in Arizona for a couple more years, at least.''

Under the contract, the side-arm pitcher gets $4.5 million for 2014 and $5 million for 2015 with a $5.5 million option for 2016 that includes a $1 million buyout.

The 34-year-old pitcher has spent the last two seasons with the Diamondbacks, going 14-2 with a 2.36 ERA. Last season, Ziegler inherited the closer's role due to injuries and struggles by others. He had a career-high 13 saves in 15 opportunities. Last season, he was 8-1 with a 2.22 ERA.

Also on Friday, the Diamondbacks officially reported they had reached an agreement on a one-year contract with third baseman Eric Chavez. Chavez gets $3.5 million plus $1 million if he reaches a threshold of days on the active roster.

In addition, Arizona announced its minor-league coaching assignments. They include Mark Grace, the former Diamondbacks first baseman, then television analyst before a pair of DUI arrests in a 15-month period cost him that job. The Diamondbacks kept him on as a spring training hitting instructor this year.

Former major leaguer Phil Nevin will manage Arizona's Triple-A team in Reno. He replaces Brett Butler, who left to become third base coach in Miami.

Former Diamondbacks catcher Robbie Hammock goes from managing Hillsboro to managing high Class A Visalia. Hammock played six seasons for the Diamondbacks, memorably catching Randy Johnson's perfect game.

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