Baltimore Orioles Avoid Arbitration With Jim Johnson

According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Baltimore Orioles and right-handed reliever Jim Johnson have successfully come to an agreement on a one-year deal for 2012, therefore avoiding salary arbitration. Connolly reports the 28-year-old will earn $2.625 million in 2012, which is a $975K raise from 2011.

Johnson, 28, posted a 2.67 ERA across an incredible 91 innings of work out of the bullpen with a 5.7 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9. Due to the fact Johnson tossed a whooping 91 innings, rare for a reliever, he was worth 1.6 fWAR in 2011. Though a 2.67 ERA with less than 6 K/9 isn't going to be easy to do again, Johnson can keep the ball on the ground (61.5% groundball rate), which is crucial for his success.

• Twitter / @danconnollysun: #Orioles and RHP Jim Johnson have settled arb case. He'll make $2.625 million in 2012. Up from $975K in 2011