Cubs, Matt Garza avoid arbitration with $10.25 million deal

The Chicago Cubs have avoided salary arbitration with right-hander Matt Garza, agreeing to a one-year, $10.25 million with the veteran, report Garza's reps at CAA Sports:

#Cubs Matt Garza (@gdeuceswild) agrees to $10.25M contract to avoid salary arbitration. #MLB #Arb2013

— CAA Baseball (@CAA_Baseball) January 18, 2013

Garza gets a $750,000 raise is in his final year of arbitration despite missing most of the second half of 2012 with an elbow injury. The right-hander pitched well in 2012 when healthy, posting a 3.91 ERA and 8.3 K/9 over 18 starts, and is believed to be on track to open the 2013 season in the Cubs' rotation.

Garza was one of the most highly-coveted arms at the July trade deadline when he went down with his elbow injury, and could be again this year if he can maintain his health. If he is not traded at the deadline, he should be one of the more sought after right-handers on the open market next winter.

The 29-year-old owns a 3.84 ERA and 7.6 K/9 rate in seven big-league seasons with the Twins, Rays, and Cubbies.