Sanchez avoids arbitration

Friday, 18 January 2013 12:10

Written by Bill Brink

The Pirates and Gaby Sanchez avoided arbitration today by agreeing to a one-year, $1.75 million contract including performance bonuses, according to a tweet from Sanchez's agency, the Beverly Hills Sports Council.

Sanchez, eligible for arbitration for the first time, earned $483,000 in 2012.

The Pirates still have three players -- Neil Walker, Garrett Jones and James McDonald -- eligible for arbitration. Today is the deadline for the teams and the players to exchange salary figures.

Sanchez, 29, will most likely platoon with Jones at first base and man the position when Jones plays right field. He had a .279 on-base percentage and hit seven home runs in 2012, when he joined the Pirates from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline.