The Dodgers have avoided arbitration with reliever extraordinaire Hong-Chih Kuo, signing a one-year deal worth $2.725 million, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. Two weeks ago, Kuo and the Dodgers exchanged figures for salary arbitration, with Kuo seeking $3.075 million and the Dodgers offering $2.55 million. Kuo can also earn a potential of $700,000 in incentives, including $600,000 for games finished, per Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, which makes it likely that Kuo's total remuneration will be above the midpoint of $2,812,500.
Kuo began last season on the disabled list, but joined the team on April 22. Kuo gave up two runs that night in Cincinnati, but proceeded to give up just six more runs the rest of the season. His 1.20 ERA set a Dodgers franchise record for pitchers with at least 40 innings, made the All-Star team, and set a career high by striking out 11.0 batters per nine innings.
The Dodgers now have 19 players under contract in 2011, for a total of $87.175 million. They have one pending arbitration case with James Loney, with the first baseman seeking $5.25 million and the Dodgers offering a salary of $4.7 million.
UPDATE: Tony Jackson of ESPN LA has the details on the $700,000 in incentives. Kuo can receive:
- $25,000 for each of 50 and 55 games pitched
- $50,000 for 60 games pitched
- $100,000 for each of 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 55 games finished