Reds, Lopez reach one-year deal
02/02/2006
CINCINNATI -- The Reds avoided arbitration with All-Star shortstop Felipe Lopez on Thursday by agreeing to terms on a one-year contract worth $2.7 million.
Now the club will try to work something out with its lone pending case, first baseman Adam Dunn.
Lopez, who would have had his hearing Feb. 8, batted .291 with 23 home runs and 85 RBIs in 148 games during a breakout 2005 season. The 25-year-old switch-hitter, who didn't become the everyday shortstop until Rich Aurilia went on the disabled list in May, never gave the job back.
While ranking first among National League shortstops in homers, RBIs and tied for the top in extra-base hits, Lopez posted a .352 on-base percentage. He was Cincinnati's lone representative to the All-Star Game last year, a first-time honor. He also won a Silver Slugger Award. Only Barry Larkin hit more homers (23) in a season as a shortstop in Reds history.
When the exchange of arbitration figures was made last month, Lopez was seeking a $3 million 2006 salary while the Reds counter offered at $2.15 million.
"We're glad to have it behind us," Reds interim general manager Brad Kullman said. "I hate going through the hearings. We're glad we got it done with Felipe."
Lopez made $415,000 last season.
Dunn and the club are scheduled to appear before a three-person panel Feb. 17 in St. Petersburg, Fla. The 26-year-old, who batted .247 with 40 homers and 101 RBIs while earning $4.6 million in 2005, wants $8.95 million this season. Cincinnati offered $7.1 million.
Talks on a new contract have been ongoing between the Reds and Dunn's agent, Brian Peters.
"They've been intensive. They will get more intensive until we get something done," Kullman said. "I'm hopeful. We're focusing all of our energies to do that now. We'll reach closure one way or another."
Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/
CINCINNATI -- The Reds avoided arbitration with All-Star shortstop Felipe Lopez on Thursday by agreeing to terms on a one-year contract worth $2.7 million.
Now the club will try to work something out with its lone pending case, first baseman Adam Dunn.
Lopez, who would have had his hearing Feb. 8, batted .291 with 23 home runs and 85 RBIs in 148 games during a breakout 2005 season. The 25-year-old switch-hitter, who didn't become the everyday shortstop until Rich Aurilia went on the disabled list in May, never gave the job back.
While ranking first among National League shortstops in homers, RBIs and tied for the top in extra-base hits, Lopez posted a .352 on-base percentage. He was Cincinnati's lone representative to the All-Star Game last year, a first-time honor. He also won a Silver Slugger Award. Only Barry Larkin hit more homers (23) in a season as a shortstop in Reds history.
When the exchange of arbitration figures was made last month, Lopez was seeking a $3 million 2006 salary while the Reds counter offered at $2.15 million.
"We're glad to have it behind us," Reds interim general manager Brad Kullman said. "I hate going through the hearings. We're glad we got it done with Felipe."
Lopez made $415,000 last season.
Dunn and the club are scheduled to appear before a three-person panel Feb. 17 in St. Petersburg, Fla. The 26-year-old, who batted .247 with 40 homers and 101 RBIs while earning $4.6 million in 2005, wants $8.95 million this season. Cincinnati offered $7.1 million.
Talks on a new contract have been ongoing between the Reds and Dunn's agent, Brian Peters.
"They've been intensive. They will get more intensive until we get something done," Kullman said. "I'm hopeful. We're focusing all of our energies to do that now. We'll reach closure one way or another."
Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/
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