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A’s avoid arbitration with Kemp, Blackburn, Laureano originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The Athletics are rounding out their roster as spring training nears, signifying that the 2023 MLB season is right around the corner.
The A’s reached one-year contract agreements with right-hander Paul Blackburn, utilityman Tony Kemp and outfielder Ramón Laureano on Friday, avoiding arbitration.
Blackburn wrapped up his sixth season with the A’s in 2022, when he went 7-6 with a 4.28 ERA in 21 starts.
While the team didn’t announce salary figures for all three players, MLB.com’s Martin Gallegos cited a source in reporting that Blackburn will earn $1.9 million next season.
Kemp hit .235 with a .641 OPS in 147 games last season, but his bat came alive in the second half. The 31-year-old hit .278 with 13 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 32 RBI in 62 games after the All-Star break.
The utilityman also will receive a pay bump from $2.25 million, which he earned last season, to $3.725 million, per Gallegos.
Laureano might hope 2023 will be better than 2022. The outfielder hit a career-low .211 with 13 home runs and 34 RBI in 94 games last season. The 28-year-old also missed time on the field due to being on the injured list and the suspended list.
Despite his challenging 2022, Laureano also will receive a pay increase. He’ll earn $3.550 million after making $2.45 million last season, per Gallegos.
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In addition to signing all three players to one-year deals, the A’s also announced Friday the arrival of Japanese right-hander Shintaro Fujinami, who signed a one-year contract.
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