Braves, Eric O'Flaherty avoid arbitration

The Atlanta Braves have avoided arbitration with reliever Eric O`Flaherty, coming to terms on a one-year deal with the left-hander, the team has announced:

LHP Eric O'Flaherty has agreed to terms on a one-year contract for 2013, thus avoiding salary arbitration.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) January 18, 2013

O`Flaherty, 27, earned roughly $2.5 million in his second year of arbitration and was absolutely lights-out in 2012, so he should receive a handsome raise in this his final year of arb-eligibility.

It was near impossible last season for O`Flaherty to duplicate his 2011 campaign -- in which he posted a 0.93 ERA in 73⅔ innings -- but the southpaw got pretty close. O`Flaherty threw 16 fewer innings in 2012 but was still as dominant as ever, amassing a minuscule 1.73 ERA and 7.2 K/9 rate in 57⅓ innings.

The Braves still have five arb-eligible players -- Martin Prado, Jayson Heyward, Kris Medlen, Jonny Venters, and Cristhian Martinez -- left to come to terms with before hearings begin next month. For a look at all the MLB players who filed for arbitration, check out our list here.