Arizona Diamondbacks, Brad Ziegler Agree To Deal

The Arizona Diamondbacks and right-handed submarine reliever Brad Ziegler have agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.795 million, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith. By striking a deal, the two sides successfully avoided heading to salary arbitration. The submarine pitcher will earn a slight salary raise from 2011 in his first year being arbitration eligible.

The 32-year-old Ziegler posted a 2.39 ERA across 37 2/3 innings of work with the Oakland Athletics in 2011, before being traded to the Diamondbacks in exchange for Brandon Allen and Jordan Norberto. After being acquired by Arizona, Ziegler's numbers improved slightly, perhaps the primary reason being most hitters had never seen the submarine pitcher.

Ziegler will rejoin the D'Backs bullpen in 2012, and is under team control through 2015. Most of Ziegler's success comes against right-handed batters, who only hit .219/.271/.268 with 131 strikeouts to 40 walks (644 plate appearances). He struggled mightily against lefties, who scorched Ziegler regularly.