Dodgers, Kenley Jansen avoid arbitration

The Dodgers have agreed to terms with their prized closer for the 2014 season.

Kenley Jansen and the Los Angeles Dodgers avoided salary arbitration Tuesday afternoon after agreeing to terms for the 2014 season, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.

The two sides settled on a one-year, $4.3 million contract to knot up the Dodgers' last remaining arbitration-eligible player. Jansen's contract fell in between the two salary figures that each side submitted, with the Dodgers offering $3.5 million and Jansen countering at $5.05 million.

The settlement comes one week before the two sides had a scheduled arbitration hearing in Florida.

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The 26-year-old Jansen has been a stellar reliever for the Dodgers ever since making his major league debut in 2010. Last season, Jansen posted a 1.88 ERA and struck out a career-high 111 batters against 18 walks in 76.2 innings pitched to establish himself as the team's closer. The right-hander also saved 28 games for the Dodgers a season after finishing with a 2.35 ERA and 25 saves in 2012.

Jansen was so dominant in 2013 that he retired 27 consecutive batters between relief appearances in July and August.

"It goes fast," Jansen told Hernandez on Tuesday about his time with the Dodgers. "It's unbelievable how stuff works that quick. Now, a million-dollar contract. That's pretty awesome."

This was Jansen's first year of arbitration eligibility after he made $512,000 in 2013. Initially signed as a catcher, the Dodgers turned Jansen into a pitcher in 2009, and a year later he made his major league debut.

Heading into 2014, Jansen gives the Dodgers a ton of comfort in the ninth inning as one of the best closers in baseball. There is no denying that the team's decision to convert him from a catcher has worked out well for all involved.

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