DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers and star pitcher Max Scherzer have come to terms on a new one-year deal avoiding arbitration. The deal is worth a reported $15.525 million, which would be an $8.8 million increase from his 2013 salary.
The deal allows the Tigers to avoid an often tough arbitration hearing that sees a team try to explain to an arbitrator why one of their players isn’t good enough to command the salary that the player is requesting. Tigers President, CEO, and General Manager Dave Dombrowski has never gone to arbitration with a player during his time with the Tigers.
It was probably the last thing he wanted to do with Scherzer, who is set to become a free agent after the 2014 season. The Tigers have said they would like to keep Scherzer beyond next season.
Detroit also announced new one-year deals with four other arbitration eligible players: Rick Porcello, Austin Jackson, Andy Dirks and Al Alburquerque. Catcher Alex Avila is the only arbitration-eligible player left that has not signed a new contract.
Porcello’s deal is worth a reported $8.5 million, up from $5.1 million earned last season. Austin Jackson is set to make $6 million in 2014, up from $3.5 million in 2013.
Andy Dirks reportedly signed for $1.625 million while Al Alburquerque signed for $837,500. Dirks made $505,000 last season and Alburquerque made $500,000.
