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Chapman, Reds sign one-year deal, avoid arbitration

Michael Keating

The Cincinnati Reds and All Star closer Aroldis Chapman avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract, the Reds announced Friday morning.

MLB.com is reporting that Chapman will make $8.05 million this year. In the arbitration hearing, which was to have taken place Friday, Chapman was asking for $8.7 million for the 2015 season, while the Reds countered with $6.65 million, according to MLB.com.

The 26-year-old Cuban left-hander, considered one of the elite closers in baseball, is eligible for arbitration with the Reds for the 2016 season. After 2016, he can become a free agent.

Chapman, who routinely throws a fastball that tops 100 miles an hour on the radar gun, has been named to the National League All Star team in each of the past three seasons.

In 2014, he saved 36 games, while striking out 106 batters in 54 innings.

The Chapman signing means the Reds have now come to terms with all of their arbitration-eligible players. Pitchers and catchers report to the spring training camp in Goodyear, Ariz., next Wednesday.

Howard Wilkinson is in his 50th year of covering politics on the local, state and national levels.