D-backs avoid arbitration with Gallen, Walker
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The D-backs reached contract agreements to avoid arbitration with right-hander Zac Gallen and first baseman Christian Walker, catcher Carson Kelly and center fielder Kyle Lewis on Friday.
That leaves one arbitration-eligible player on the roster -- infielder/outfielder Josh Rojas. A source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand that the figures exchanged between the two sides are $2.9 million (Rojas) and $2.575 million (D-backs). If the two sides can't reach an agreement, they will head to an arbitration hearing in February that will determine Rojas' 2023 salary.
Gallen will earn $5.6 million in 2023, a source told Feinsand. The 27-year-old right-hander had a breakout year in '22, posting a 2.54 ERA over 31 starts (184 innings) and leading qualified National League pitchers with a 0.91 WHIP. He also led the Majors with the fewest hits per nine innings, at 5.9. He'll be leading a '23 starting rotation that also features Merrill Kelly, Madison Bumgarner and the recently re-signed Zach Davies.
Walker, 31, will earn $6.5 million after also enjoying a breakout campaign last season, launching a career-high 36 home runs with an .804 OPS. He was also great defensively, winning his first career Gold Glove Award at first base. He'll be a key anchor in the D-backs' lineup, which will also feature newcomers Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Evan Longoria.
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Kelly, 28, will earn $4.275 million this year after he took a step back offensively last season, slashing .211/.282/.334 with seven homers in 354 plate appearances. In 2021, he posted a .754 OPS with 13 homers in 359 plate appearances.
Arizona acquired Lewis, the 2020 American League Rookie of the Year, in a trade with the Mariners in November. The 27-year-old center fielder's 2023 salary will be $1.61 million. He had an .801 OPS with 11 homers in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, but injuries have limited him to only 54 games since then.