Britton avoids arbitration (also Machado, Tillman, Schoop)

The Orioles reached agreement with closer Zach Britton on a contract for the 2017 season, leaving six arbitration-eligible players unsigned as the 1 p.m. deadline approaches.

Britton signed for $11.4 million, according to sources. He made $6.75 million last season while going 47-for-47 in save opportunities and posting a 0.54 ERA, finishing fourth in Cy Young Award voting in the American League. He's been an All-Star the past two seasons.

Britton is eligible for free agency following the 2018 season.

MLBTradeRumors.com projected that Britton would earn $11.4 million in arbitration. Nailed it.

The Orioles still need to work out deals with third baseman Manny Machado, second baseman Jonathan Schoop, pitchers Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman and Brad Brach, and catcher Caleb Joseph.

The sides will exchange figures and they can continue to negotiate until their respective hearing dates, which run from Jan. 30-Feb. 17. However, a source indicated last night that the Orioles will treat each case as a "file and go," also known as "file and trial" if you prefer the rhyme. They intend on going to hearings with each unsigned player.

It's the same approach used on outfielder Alejandro De Aza in 2015. He lost and settled for $5 million instead of the $5.65 million that he sought.

Prior to De Aza, the last Oriole to go to a hearing was pitcher Brad Bergesen, who lost in 2012 and was paid $800,000 instead of $1.2 million.

A three-person arbitration panel determines the salary and there's no compromise. One of the figures submitted is chosen.

Pitcher Rodrigo Lopez also went to a hearing back in 2006, the last Oriole before Bergesen. The gaps are proof that the Orioles normally find a middle ground and avoid the process, but that's not expected to happen this winter.

The Orioles are 10-1 in hearings since Peter Angelos became majority owner, and 8-0 when general counsel H. Russell Smouse handles the cases.

Tillman made $6.225 million last season and MLBTradeRumors.com projected that he's going to earn $10.6 million in arbitration. He would rank only third in salary among the club's arbitration eligibles.

Machado made $5 million and is projected to earn $11.2 million, Gausman made $532,000 and is projected to earn $3.9 million, Schoop made $522,500 and is projected to earn $3.4 million, Brach made $1.250 million and is projected to earn $2.9 million, and Joseph made $523,500 and is projected to earn $1 million.

Factor in Britton's salary and the Orioles may have to commit $44.4 million to seven players.

Infielder Ryan Flaherty ($1.8 million) and left-hander T.J. McFarland ($685,000) avoided arbitration by reaching agreements last night.

ESPN.com first reported Britton's deal.

Update: Machado agreed to an $11.5 million deal, according to a source.

Machado batted .294/.343/.533 with 40 doubles, a triple, 37 home runs and 96 RBIs in 157 games. He finished fifth in MVP voting and made his third All-Star team.

Machado can become a free agent following the 2018 season.

The Baltimore Sun first reported the Machado deal.

Update II: Tillman has agreed to a deal worth $10.05 million, per a source.

The right-hander went 16-6 with a 3.77 ERA and can be a free agent after the 2017 season. He was projected to make $10.6 million by MLBTradeRumors.com.

Tillman's representatives with the Beverly Hills Sports Council have begun talks with the Orioles about a long-term extension.

Update III: Add Schoop to the list of players who avoided arbitration by agreeing to terms for 2017.

Schoop's salary is believed to be $3.475 million. MLBTradeRumors.com projected he'd get $3.4 million.