SEATTLE (AP) — Left-handed pitcher Charlie Furbush and the Seattle Mariners have agreed to a $750,000 contract for next season and avoided a potential dispute over arbitration eligibility.
The Mariners announced the deal on Tuesday. Furbush’s arbitration eligibility is dependent on New York Mets infielder Ruben Tejada, who is one day short of three years of major league service. If Tejada were to win a grievance and gain a day of service time, Furbush (2 years, 121 days) would become eligible for arbitration as among the top 22 percent by service time among players with at least two years but less than three.
Furbush, 27, appeared in a team-best 71 games last season. He was 2-6 with a 3.74 ERA and a .199 opponent batting average. The left-hander tied for 10th in the AL in appearances and 13th with 20 holds.
Furbush has spent parts of three seasons with Seattle. He was acquired in a trade with Detroit in July 2011.
