Chamberlain, Yankees agree to one-year deal

Job Chamberlain and the Yankees agreed to a one-year deal.

Kathy Kmonicek/AP

Reliever Joba Chamberlain and the New York Yankees have agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,875,000, avoiding salary arbitration.

Chamberlain returned Aug. 1 after being sidelined for 14 months by elbow and ankle injuries. The 27-year-old right-hander went 1-0 with a 4.35 ERA in 22 games, striking out 22 in 20 2-3 innings.

His deal, which is not guaranteed, gives Chamberlain a raise of $200,000 and contains performance bonuses for games finished.

Two Yankees remain in arbitration: right-hander David Robertson and left-hander Boone Logan.

New York's projected payroll is at about $200 million for 16 players, including $8.5 million the Yankees are paying Pittsburgh as part of last year's trade that sent A.J. Burnett to the Pirates.

Cubs, Garza agree to $10.25 million contract

CHICAGO -- Matt Garza and the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a $10.25 million, one-year contract that avoids salary arbitration.

Creative Artists Agency, which represents the right-hander, announced the deal Thursday night on Twitter. Garza also posted on his account, "Business side over! Hooray! Time to focus on what really matters 2013."

Garza avoided arbitration a year ago as well, agreeing to a $9.5 million deal with the Cubs, and was a potential trade candidate before he was derailed by an injury to his pitching elbow against St. Louis on July 21.

He missed the rest of the season, finishing 5-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 18 starts.

Garza, the 2008 AL championship series MVP with Tampa Bay, can become a free agent after the upcoming season.

Storen, Nationals agree to $2.5M, 1-year deal

WASHINGTON -- Relief pitcher Drew Storen has agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract with the Washington Nationals, avoiding arbitration.

The agreement Thursday includes $1 million in available performance bonuses for Storen, who was among six extra players eligible for salary arbitration this winter under baseball's new labor deal.

Storen saved 43 games for the Nationals in 2011. He missed more than half of last season after having elbow surgery in April, but reclaimed the closer job for the NL East champions down the stretch and finished 3-1 with a 2.37 ERA and four saves in 37 appearances. The right-hander failed to hold a ninth-inning lead against St. Louis in Game 5 of the NL division series.

Washington signed free-agent closer Rafael Soriano to a $28 million, two-year contract this week.

Mets, Parnell avoid arbitration with $1.7M deal

NEW YORK -- Relief pitcher Bobby Parnell and the New York Mets have avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $1.7 million.

The deal was completed Thursday.

Parnell has been a key member of New York's bullpen the past few years. He led the team with 74 appearances last season, going 5-4 with a 2.49 ERA and seven saves. The hard-throwing righty had 61 strikeouts and 20 walks in 68 2-3 innings.

Parnell made $504,000 last season, when he fell just short in service time of being eligible for arbitration. He's been effective as a setup man, but hasn't been able to lock down the closer job despite several opportunities with the Mets.

A pair of New York players remain in arbitration: first baseman Ike Davis and second baseman Daniel Murphy.

Gomez, Brewers agree at $4.3 million

MILWAUKEE -- Outfielder Carlos Gomez and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a $4.3 million, one-year contract, more than doubling his salary.

The 27-year-old hit .260 for Milwaukee last season with 19 homers, 51 RBIs and 37 stolen bases in 43 chances. He made $1,987,500.

Gomez can become a free agent after this season.

Three Brewers remain in arbitration, right-handers John Axford, Burke Badenhop and Marco Estrada. They are set to swap proposed arbitration salaries with the team Friday.

Venable, Padres agree on $2,675,000, 1-year deal

SAN DIEGO -- Outfielder Will Venable and the San Diego Padres have avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $2,675,000, a raise of $1.2 million.

The 30-year-old hit .264 last year with nine homers and 45 RBIs.

Seven Padres remain in arbitration: shortstop Everth Cabrera; third baseman Chase Headley; right-handers Edinson Volquez and Luke Gregerson; left-handers Clayton Richard and Joe Thatcher; and catcher John Baker.