Rays avoid arbitration with Alex Colome, Corey Dickerson, and others

According to Robert Murray of FanRagSports, the Rays have agreed to 2018 contracts with several of their arbitration-eligible players just before the 1 p.m. deadline on January 12.

The Rays and Alex Colome agreed to $5.3 million; Corey Dickerson will be getting $5.95 million; Steven Souza will be getting $3.55 million and Brad Miller will be getting $4.5 million.

All four of these moves could be potential bargains for the 2018 season. Dickerson had his breakout season in 2017 (115 wRC+; 2.6 fWAR); Miller is one year removed from a 30-homer campaign (and for $4.5 million is worth the limited risk); Souza was arguably the Rays best player last year (120 wRC+; 3.7 fWAR); and Colome led the league in saves in 2017 (while being worth 1.2 fWAR out of the bullpen).

Colome’s deal could also make him more viable as a trade chip, should the Rays choose to go that direction.

There are several other Rays eligible for arbitration, and if there is news that the Rays have reached deals with any of:

Jake Odorizzi

Adeiny Hechavarria

Dan Jennings

Jesus Sucre

Matt Duffy

We will update this article.

So far the Rays are coming in about $600,000 under projected arbitration salaries if they had not settled with Colome (-$200,000), Dickerson (-$450,000), Souza (-$50,000), and Miller (+$100,000).