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San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Susan Slusser blogs the details of Oakland two-year contract with reliever Micheal Wuurtz that avoids salary arbitration. Wuertz' deal, worth a guaranteed $5.25 million, will pay him $2.2 million in 2010 and $2.8 million in 2011. The deal includes a $3.5 million team option that can be bought out for $250,000.
Wuertz had sought $2.9 million, with Oakland offering $1.9 million. Wuertz' salary for 2010 falls $200,000 below the midpoint between the two, $2.4 million. His 2010 salary will be a 100% raise over the $1.1 million he made in 2009. The deal buys out at least one and potentially two years of free agency. This was Wuertz' final year of salary arbitration eligibility.
Arriving in Oakland in February of last season, Wuertz enjoyed a fantastic 2009, with six wins in relief against one loss. He also saved four games. His ERA was a nifty 2.63 and was backed by impressive rate stats including an excellent 11.7 K/9 IP. Equally impressive he only allowed 5.9 H/9 IP.
With Wuertz' signing, plus others that occured late Friday, the number of salary arbitration eligible players that have yet to reach agreements or have hearings now stands at 19. He was Oakland's only pending case with an arbitration eligible player. Hearings will begin in February for teams that cannot come to terms with players who are eligible. Please visit the salary arbitration figures page for more information.
Joe Tetreault is a member of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey.
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Salary Arb Signings/Rulings 
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