Matt Kemp, Dodgers Avoid Arbitration, Reach Agreement: 2 Yrs, $11 Mil

Matt Kemp“Matt Kemp and the Los Angeles Dodgers reached a preliminary agreement Friday on a US$10.95-million, two-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal, subject to a physical, hadn’t been completed.

The move means Los Angeles avoids salary arbitration with Kemp, who batted .297 with 26 homers and 101 RBIs last season. He also stole 34 bases and won his first Gold Glove in centre field.

Kemp would make $4 million in 2010 and $6.95 million in 2011, with the chance to earn another $500,000 in performance bonuses during the contract.” [TSN.ca]