Jon Jay and the St. Louis Cardinals avoided arbitration Monday after agreeing to terms on a two-year contract.
Jon Jay and St. Louis Cardinals avoid arbitration, Detroit Tigers pursuing Dioner Navarro and more MLB news
The last stages of the MLB hot stove continued, with news on arbitration settlements and a possible trade scenario.
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The deal is worth a total of $10.975 million, according to Derek Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and Jay will earn $3.5 million in 2015. Jay is among the more unheralded pieces of the Cardinals’ recent success but has been a valuable contributor for St. Louis with his defense in center field and timely hitting.
Jay had one of the best years of his career in 2014 at the age of 29, hitting .303/.372/.378 over 468 plate appearances. Jay initially requested a $5 million salary for the 2015 campaign, with the Cardinals countering at $4.1 million.
2015 Season
The Tigers and Blue Jays are discussing a trade that would involve catcher Dioner Navarro, according to Jeff Blair of Toronto SportsNet.
With Victor Martinez requiring knee surgery and incumbent catcher Alex Avila’s continued struggles with concussions, the Tigers could use some added depth behind the plate. Navarro would fit the bill, and as a switch-hitter would also provide another versatile bat for Detroit’s offense.
Navarro, who turned 31 on Monday, hit .274/.317/.395 for the Blue Jays in 2014, slugging 12 home runs in 520 plate appearances.
Angels, Joyce avoid arbitration
The Angels and Matt Joyce avoided arbitration on a one-year deal Monday evening, according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.
Joyce will earn $4.75 million in 2015 after originally filing for a $5.2 million salary. The 30-year-old outfielder hit .254/.349/.383 with nine home runs for the Rays last season, appearing mostly in a platoon role against right-handed pitching.
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