The Mets announced that they have avoided arbitration with Bobby Parnell on a one-year, $1.7MM deal for 2013, according to Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger (via Twitter). The 28-year-old is represented by ACES.
The right-hander posted a 2.49 ERA last season with 8.0 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 74 relief outings. Parnell, 28, reportedly picked up trade interest this winter but the Mets opted to hang on to him instead. Matt Swartz's arbitration model developed exclusively for MLBTR projected a $1.5MM deal for Parnell.
Parnell won't be eligible to hit the open market until after the 2015 campaign. After getting Parnell squared away, GM Sandy Alderson & Co. can now focus on their two remaining arb eligible players – Ike Davis and Daniel Murphy.
