Postseason star Cody Ross has avoided salary arbitration with the World Series champion San Francisco Giants, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal Tuesday.
Ross earned $4.45 million last season, when he joined the Giants on a waiver claim from Florida on Aug. 22. He became one of their most reliable players down the stretch and during an improbable
title run.
The franchise won its first championship since 1954.
Reliever Ramon Ramirez, another midseason addition last year, also avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $1.65 million, one-year deal.
In other off-season moves, Padres closer Heath Bell has agreed to a $7.5 million, one-year contract and four other San Diego players also received deals Tuesday that avoided arbitration.
Outfielder Ryan Ludwick will earn more than $6.7 million, right-handed reliever Mike Adams received a deal for more than $2.5 million, third baseman Chase Headley gets some $2.3 million and pitcher Tim Stauffer gets a little less than $1.1 million.
The 33-year-old Bell went 6-1 with a 1.93 ERA and a career-best 47 saves last season, earning his second consecutive All-Star selection.
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He made $4 million last season.
Ludwick hit .251 with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs between St. Louis and San Diego. Headley batted .264 with 11 homers and 58 RBIs.
Adams went 4-1 with a 1.76 ERA in 70 outings.
Stauffer was 6-5 with a 1.85 ERA in 32 appearances with seven starts.
