A's, Kottaras avoid arbitration

Update 1/15 - 7:45pm ET: Kottaras' deal with the Athletics is worth an even million bucks, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

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Original Story: The Oakland Athletics and George Kottaras avoided arbitration and agreed to a one-year deal on Monday, reports the San Jose Mercury News. The terms of the deal are not yet known. This was his first year being arbitration eligible. He earned $700K in 2012.

Kottaras, 29, split the season between the Milwaukee Brewers and the A's. The lefty hit .211/.351/.415 with nine home runs in 209 plate appearances on the season. For his career, Kottaras is hitting .220/.320/.412 with 24 home runs in five seasons.

He was traded to the A's at the trade deadline for pitcher Fautino De Los Santos. After the A's acquired Kottaras, they traded long-time starter Kurt Suzuki to the Nationals. Kottaras ended up sharing time with Derek Norris as the A's made their run to the AL West crown.

After signing Kottaras, the A's still have three arbitration eligible players in Jerry Blevins, Brandon Moss and Seth Smith.