The Los Angeles Dodgers have already done the heavy lifting of the shortened offseason but there was still work to be done while Spring Training is underway and Opening Day of the 2022 season fast approaches.
Prior to the lockout, the Dodgers tendered contracts to Caleb Ferguson, Trea Turner, Julio Urías, and Cody Bellinger. It guaranteed each would remain under contract for at least one more season.
Bellinger and the Dodgers avoided arbitration prior to the lockout by signing a one-year deal worth $17 million. He was projected to receive $16.1 million.
Now, the Dodgers have also avoided arbitration with Ferguson by signing him to a one-year contract worth $762,500, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
More #Dodgers arb news: The team agreed to a deal with Caleb Ferguson for $762,500 to avoid arbitration, per sources
Their three remaining arbitration players now all have deals. No hearings for the Dodgers this year.
— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) March 22, 2022
The 25-year-old southpaw was projected by MLB Trade Rumors to receive $700,000 in arbitration after missing the entire 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery.
In 2020, Ferguson began to have a breakout year as a relief pitcher, posting a 2.89 ERA and 3.57 FIP while striking out 13.02 hitters per nine and walking just 1.45 per nine, but he was limited to just 18.2 innings prior to his injury.
He also showed promise in his rookie season in 2018 when he threw 49 innings with a 3.49 ERA and 3.79 FIP with 10.84 strikeouts per nine and 2.20 walks per nine. However, he struggled with walks in 2019, which led to him having an ERA near five.
In his career, Ferguson has thrown 112.1 innings with six starts and owns a 3.93 ERA, 4.26 FIP, 11.22 strikeouts per nine and 3.36 walks per nine.
If healthy, Ferguson should be an important piece in the Dodgers bullpen and may end up seeing a lot of high-leverage work if he is able to return to his 2020 form.
Ferguson unlikely to be ready for Opening Day
The Dodgers entered Spring Training with a handful of players still recovering from injuries, including Max Muncy, who was among those to arrive early at Camelback Ranch.
On the pitching side, Ferguson, Tommy Kahnle and Dustin May are on the mend from Tommy John surgery. Each pitcher is at a different stage in their respective recovery, but unlikely to be ready when the team breaks camp in three weeks.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently confirmed Ferguson and Kahnle aren’t expected to be on the Opening Day roster.
Dodgers avoid arbitration
Also on Tuesday, the Dodgers reportedly agreed to a one-year, $21 million contract with Trea Turner, and settled with Julio Urias at a reported $8 million salary for the 2022 season.
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