PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks and right-hander Jeremy Hellickson on Friday reportedly agreed on a $4.275 million contract for 2015, leaving outfielder Mark Trumbo and closer Addison Reed as the only arbitration-eligible players left.
The sides are to exchange salary figures today, and the arbitration process will continue until an agreement is reached or an arbitrator sets the player's salary at one figure or the other. Hearings would begin Feb. 1.
With about $10 million expected to go to Trumbo and Reed and another $7 million to the remaining players with less than three years service time, the D-backs are projected to spend about $85 million on payroll this year, among the reasons they can consider free agent right-hander James Shields.
Trumbo made $4.8 million in his first year of arbitration in 2014, when he slashed .235/.293/.415 with 14 home runs and 61 RBI while missing almost half the season with a stress fracture in his left foot. Trumbo averaged one RBI every 5.4 at-bats, the highest of his career. His average of one homer per 23.4 at-bats was his lowest.
Reed, who was was 1-7 with a 4.25 ERA and 32 saves in 38 chances, is entering his first year of arbitration eligibility. He made $538,500 last year, his first with the D-backs.
Earlier, the D-backs signed David Hernandez to a $2 million deal to avoid arbitration in mid-December and infielder Cliff Pennington for $3.275 million on Dec. 29. They already had picked up the options of Daniel Hudson and Matt Reynolds.
The fact Yasmany Tomas' six-year, $68.5 contract is weighted heavily on the back side is a factor. Tomas is to make $2 million this year, $4 million in 2016, $6 million in 2017 and $10 million in 2018, with one quarter of his $14 million bonus to be paid each year.
Follow Jack Magruder on Twitter
