MILWAUKEE - Right-hander Todd Coffey and the Milwaukee Brewers have avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to a $2,025,002, one-year contract.
Coffey became a key reliever in Milwaukee's bullpen last year after being claimed off waivers in September 2008. He went 4-4 with a 2.90 ERA in 78 appearances last year and led NL relievers with 83 2-3 innings pitched. He can also earn $50,000 in performance bonuses.
Coffey made $800,002 last season. He and the Brewers had the biggest gap among the team's players who swapped arbitration figures. Coffey asked for $2.45 million while Milwaukee offered $1.7 million.
Three Brewers remain in arbitration: pitchers Dave Bush and Carlos Villanueva and outfielder Corey Hart.
