K-Rod, set-up man Shields avoid arbitration with Angels

Associated Press

Updated: January 16, 2007, 7:34 PM ET

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Francisco Rodriguez, who had a major league-leading 47 saves last season, avoided arbitration with the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $7 million contract.

Rodriguez

The Angels also agreed to terms with reliever Scot Shields and infielder Robb Quinlan -- their other arbitration-eligible players.

Rodriguez, a 25-year-old right-hander, went 2-3 with a 1.73 ERA last year. He allowed only 52 hits in 73 innings while walking 28 and striking out 98.

Rodriguez was 2-5 with a 2.67 ERA and 45 saves in 2005, his first year as the Angels' closer. He was the primary setup man to Troy Percival the previous two years.

The Angels signed Rodriguez as a minor league free agent in 1998, and after joining them late in the 2002 season, he won five games during their playoff run to the World Series championship. He has a 16-12 lifetime record with a 2.29 ERA and 106 saves in 268 games.

Shields will earn $3.4 million next season. Quinlan agreed to a two-year, $1.85 million contract.

Shields, a 31-year-old right-hander who has been the primary setup man to Rodriguez the past two years, was 7-7 with a 2.87 ERA and two saves in 74 games last season.

Shields, a 38th-round selection in the 1997 free-agent draft, made his big-league debut with the Angels in 2001. He has an overall record of 35-29 with a 2.81 ERA with 14 saves in 293 games.

The 29-year-old Quinlan hit .321 with nine homers and 32 RBIs in 86 games last season. A 10th-round selection in the 1999 free-agent draft, he has a .302 career average with 19 homers and 73 RBIs in 234 games with the Angels.

Quinlan will earn $800,000 this year and $1.05 million in 2008. In addition, he will receive an extra $50,000 each for 250, 300 and 350 plate appearances.

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