Dodgers sign Luis Avilan to 1-year deal, avoiding salary arbitration

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers on Friday came to terms with left-handed relief pitcher Luis Avilan on a one-year contract for 2016, avoiding salary arbitration, the team announced.

Ailvan will earn $1.39 million in 2016, per Jon Heyman.

I guessed a salary of $1.15 million for Avilan in 2016, while MLB Trade Rumors projected a salary of $1.1 million.

Avilan, 26, put up a 4.05 ERA and 3.66 FIP in 73 games in 2015, with 49 strikeouts and 15 walks in 53⅓ innings. He was acquired by the Dodgers from the Braves on July 30, and after joining Los Angeles put up a 5.17 ERA and 3.64 FIP in 22 games, with 18 strikeouts and five walks in 15⅔ innings.

Left-handed batters have hit .217/.281/.294 against Avilan in his four-year career.

With three years, 77 days of major league service time, Avilan was eligible for salary arbitration for the first time.

Avilan has pitched in 210 games from 2013-2015, the 12th-most in baseball during that three-year span, including fourth-most among left-handed pitchers.

Today is the deadline for players and teams to exchange salary figures. After Avilan, the Dodgers still have three unsigned arb players left — Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner and Yasmani Grandal.

With Avilan, the Dodgers have $179.48 million in salary committed to 20 players in 2016, including 18 players on the 40-man roster.