MLB Trade Rumors 2016: Angels, Garrett Richards Agree to One-Year Deal, Avoid Arbitration
The Los Angeles Angels avoided arbitration with one of their pitchers in right hander Garrett Richards after the parties agreed to a new one-year contract worth $6.4 million, an amount that is fairly higher compared to what the team initially offered him in a proposed arbitration salary last Jan. 15.
After finishing an impressive season as a regular big league starter back in 2014 where he went 13-4 with 2.61 ERA, Richards unfortunately suffered a knee injury. He came back last season, making 3.65 ERA and going 15-12, while earning a salary of $3.2 million.
The news of this new deal, when finalized, means that he no longer will be available as a free agent until the end of the 2018 season. The only one left in arbitration in the Angels' roster right now is former Gold Glove Kole Calhoun, who plays right field. Calhoun and the Angels are still in negotiations, with the former asking for $3.9 million, while the latter offering $2.35 million.
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The signing of Richards does not come as a surprise though since he is the Angels' most reliable pitcher so far. While in his second year of arbitration, it's obvious that the team wanted to retain him after giving in to his demand of a higher figure than the initial offer of $5.3 million. Although he gave a counter offer slightly above $7 million, both parties quickly agreed to a settlement in between.
The 27-year-old former first round draft pick is known in the major league as a hard-throwing right hander who can strike out anyone. He did that 176 times last season in 207 1/3 innings, while walking 76. After suffering the knee injury in the last part of the 2014 season, he was out of the field and had to spend some time for rehabilitation. If not for the injury, many baseball pundits believed at that time that he may have been a strong contender for the American League Cy Young Award.
