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The Phillies today continued their impressive-yet-kinda-boring streak of arbitration avoidance, agreeing to a one-year, $2m contract with reliever Antonio Bastardo. Todd Zolecki reported that the contract also includes performance bonuses
Bastardo had asked for $2.5m, which would have been a $1.1m raise over his 2013 salary of $1.4m. The Phillies had offered $1.675m, so at $2m they're settling at nearly the midpoint. Though Antonio Bastardo is pretty great, so I wouldn't call it *settling*! Har har har har is the offseason over yet?
Bastardo's 2013 season came to an abrupt end in August when he was suspended 50 games for his part in what I'm going to call the Biogenesis Kerfuffle. But until that point, he had a 2.32 ERA in 42 2/3 innings. His absence was definitely felt in the Phillies bullpen ... and in my heart. But with his 50 games served, he'll report with the pitchers and catchers in February and we shan't have to bear his absence any longer.
