The Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday not only finalized their five-year contract with Kenley Jansen, but also avoided salary arbitration with Vidal Nuno by agreeing to a one-year pact. Nuno’s deal is worth a reported $1.125 million.
Nuno earned $532,900 with the Seattle Mariners last season, and was projected by MLB Trade Rumors to receive a $1.1 million salary in 2017. The Dodgers acquired the left-handed reliever last November in exchange for backup catcher Carlos Ruiz.
Over the past two seasons with Seattle, Nuno went a combined 2-5 with a 3.85 ERA, 4.67 FIP and 1.31 WHIP in 87 games (11 starts). In 2016, he allowed a career-worst 10.3 hits per nine innings, but posted a career-high 4.64 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
What’s more, Nuno’s 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings was the third-best mark of his career. In addition to Nuno, Los Angeles has left-handed relief pitchers Adam Liberatore and Grant Dayton on their 40-man roster.
Liberatore emerged as a dependable option for manager Dave Roberts last season before suffering knee and elbow injuries. Dayton was among the several rookies to play a key role for the Dodgers at various stretches, including the postseason.
Nuno, who has one option year remaining, will compete for a spot in the bullpen but may very well begin the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The Dodgers tendered contracts to five arbitration-eligible players prior to the deadline last December. Chris Hatcher and Scott Van Slyke were also eligible, but both agreed to one-year contracts. Los Angeles has yet to settle with Luis Avilan, Josh Fields, Yasmani Grandal and Alex Wood.
Tuesday marked the start of the arbitration process as it was the filing date. Friday, Jan. 13, is when teams and players each submit a salary figure for the 2017 season. If sides are unable to reach an agreement, then arbitration hearings will be held between Jan. 30 and Feb. 17.
