The Seattle Mariners have agreed to terms with left-hander Charlie Furbush, a former South Portland star, and right-hander Evan Scribner for 2016, avoiding arbitration.
Terms of the contracts were not disclosed. By agreeing to terms with Furbush and Scribner, the Mariners have no remaining arbitration-eligible players.
Furbush, 29, was on the disabled list from July 9 through the end of the season with left biceps tendinitis and a slight rotator cuff tear and was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on Sept. 8. He posted a 2.08 ERA over 21 2/3 innings in 33 relief appearances before going on the disabled list just prior to the All-Star break.
In five major league seasons, Furbush has a 3.97 ERA over 260 2/3 innings with 268 strikeouts in 247 games (12 starts). Since 2012 when he began pitching exclusively as a reliever, he has a 3.23 ERA over 175 1/3 innings with 201 strikeouts and has limited opposing hitters to a .196 batting average.
Furbish was a standout at South Portland High School before pitching for coach Will Sanborn at St. Joseph College in Standish. An impressive summer in the prestigious Cape Cod League landed him the opportunity to transfer to Louisiana State University where he was 3-9 with a 4.95 ERA in 16 starts. He struck out 88 in 87 innings and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round in 2007 and signed with them.
Scribner, 30, was acquired from the Oakland Athletics on Dec. 8. He was 2-2 with a 4.35 ERA in a career-high 54 appearances for Oakland in 2015. He struck out 64 hitters in 60 innings while walking just four out of 238 batters faced. His 16-to-1 strikeout ratio last season led all major league relievers, as did his 0.60 walks per 9.0 innings pitched. Scribner missed the month of September with a strained back muscle.
Scribner has pitched in the majors with the A’s (2012-2015) and San Diego Padres (2011). In his big-league career, he is 5-2 with a 4.21 ERA in 125 relief appearances. He has 134 strikeouts while walking only 27 in 147 2/3 innings.
Nationals’ Strasburg gets $10.4 million deal
Washington right-hander Stephen Strasburg avoided arbitration with the Nationals by agreeing to a one-year, $10.4 million contract on Friday.
Strasburg, 27, is eligible for free agency after the season. Agent Scott Boras is expected to encourage him to test the market.
The 2016 salary is $3 million more than what Strasburg made last season when he went 11-7 with a 3.46 ERA.
Washington also agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million deal with third baseman Anthony Rendon.
Astros reach deal with Cy Young winner Keuchel
American League Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel avoided arbitration with the Houston Astros by reportedly agreeing to a one-year, $7.25 million contract on Friday.
The financial amount is the highest ever garnered by a first-time arbitration-eligible starting pitcher. David Price and Dontrelle Willis shared the previous high of $4.35 million.
Keuchel went 20-8 with a 2.48 ERA and 216 strikeouts last season while helping Houston make the playoffs. He also made the All-Star team for the first time in his career.
Keuchel, 27, made $524,500 last season.
Houston also agreed to one-year deals with third baseman Luis Valbuena ($6.125 million), shortstop Marwin Gonzalez ($2 million) and right-hander Josh Fields ($900,000).