Flaherty agrees to terms on 2017 contract (also McFarland)

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

January 12, 2017, 3:04pm

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The Orioles have reached agreement with utility infielder Ryan Flaherty on a contract for 2017, avoiding the possibility of going to an arbitration hearing.

Flaherty signed for $1.8 million, according to a source. The deal also includes incentives.

MLBTradeRumors.com projected that Flaherty would earn $1.7 million. He made $1.5 million last season and was deemed a non-tender candidate.

The Orioles value Flaherty's defensive versatility. He's played every position except center field and catcher, even pitching one inning last season in an Aug. 20 blowout loss to the Astros.

Flaherty hit .217/.291/.318 in 157 at-bats in 2016 and appeared in only eight games in September, sitting for 11 consecutive days. He totaled seven plate appearances.

BaltimoreBaseball.com first reported the agreement.

The Orioles have eight more arbitration-eligible players and Friday is the deadline for the sides to exchange figures. Left-hander T.J. McFarland could agree to terms later tonight, according to sources.

McFarland made $523,500 last season.

Pitchers Chris Tillman, Zach Britton, Kevin Gausman and Brad Brach, third baseman Manny Machado, second baseman Jonathan Schoop and catcher Caleb Joseph also are eligible for arbitration.

Update: McFarland and the Orioles settled at $685,000, as first reported by FanRag Sports.