Baltimore Orioles first baseman Steve Pearce (28). H. Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports
Arbitration won’t be necessary for Steve Pearce after the first baseman-outfielder reached agreement with the Baltimore Orioles on a one-year, $3.7 million contract Friday.
Pearce and the Orioles bridged the largest arbitration gap between a player and a team during the offseason by arriving at the midpoint. Pearce had requested $5.4 million and the team countered with $2 million two weeks ago when proposals were exchanged.
The 31-year-old Pearce, who is eligible for free agency after the 2015 season, batted .293 with career bests of 21 home runs and 49 RBIs in 102 games last season for the Orioles. He had never had more than four homers or 26 RBIs in a year with the Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates during parts of seven previous major-league seasons.
Still in arbitration with the Orioles are closer Zach Britton, right-hander Miguel Gonzalez and outfielder Alejandro de Aza.
