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Pirates sign Karstens for $3.1 million to avoid arbitration
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The Pirates and Jeff Karstens avoided arbitration Tuesday when they agreed to a one-year deal for 2012.
Karstens will receive $3.1 million, according to a source.
Karstens, 29, was eligible for arbitration for the second time. He avoided arbitration before 2011 as well when he agreed to a $1.1 million contract.
Karstens joined the Pirates in 2008 along with Ross Ohlendorf, Daniel McCutchen and Jose Tabata from the New York Yankees in exchange for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte. He moved between the bullpen and the rotation in 2009 and '10, but took Ohlendorf's spot in the rotation in 2011 after Ohlendorf got hurt early in the season.
For a time, the right-handed Karstens was one of the best pitchers in the National League, but his effectiveness waned down the stretch.
Evan Meek, Garrett Jones and Casey McGehee are still eligible for arbitration and unsigned.
First Published January 17, 2012 12:00 am
