http://0rz.tw/J6Z3L
The Cubs and catcher Geovany Soto have avoided arbitration, reaching an
agreement on a one-year contract worth $3MM, according to Gordon Wittenmyer
of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter link). Soto, who turns 28 next week, is
represented by WMG.
Soto was the NL's Rookie of the Year in 2008, and bounced back from a
sophomore slump in 2009 with an impressive .280/.393/.497 line in 397 plate
appearances last season, though he was plagued with a shoulder injury that
eventually required arthroscopic surgery in September. He earned $575K for
that performance and obviously was in line for a big raise in his first year
of arbitration eligibility. MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith looked at Soto as
an extension candidate in September, but it appears as though Chicago wants
to see if Soto can remain consistent before making a longer-term commitment
to the catcher.
The Cubs have four remaining arb-eligible players