The Diamondbacks announced that they have avoided arbitration and come to contract terms with shortstop Stephen Drew and left-handed starting pitcher Joe Saunders.
Drew agreed to a two-year contact through 2012 with a mutual option for 2013, while Saunders agreed to a one-year deal, according to executive vice president and general manager Kevin Towers.
Drew, 27, hit .278 with 33 doubles, a career-high-tying 12 triples, 15 home runs and 61 RBI in 151 games last season. He also set career-highs with 62 walks, 10 stolen bases and a .352 on-base percentage. His career-best .984 fielding percentage tied for first among NL shortstops.
Drew is the longest-tenured shortstop in D-backs franchise history with 633 games played over five seasons. He has a .272 career average with 147 doubles, 46 triples, 65 home runs and 276 RBI. He is the franchise's all-time leader in triples, and his 35 triples over the past three seasons is the most in the major leagues.
Saunders, 29, compiled a 9-17 record with a 4.47 ERA in 33 starts last season with the D-backs and Angels. He posted a 3-7 record and 4.25 ERA in 13 starts for the D-backs last season after being acquired in the five-player trade that sent Dan Haren to the Angels on July 25. He is 57-39 for his career in six seasons, with a 4.29 ERA.
