Rangers avoid arb with Mazara, DeShields
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have reached one-year agreements with outfielders Nomar Mazara and Delino DeShields, avoiding a potential arbitration hearing with each player.
Mazara agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.3 million while DeShields settled at $1.4 million. Friday was the deadline that clubs and arbitration-eligible players to exchange figures for their hearings, but the Rangers were able to settle with both Mazara and DeShields before that point.
Mazara and DeShields are in their first year of arbitration eligibility and can't become free agents until after the 2021 season. Mazara made $563,560 in '18 while DeShields made $561,500.
• Latest Hot Stove rumors
Both had trying seasons. Mazara, 23, suffered a sprained right thumb just before the All-Star break and had to deal with it the rest of the season. He ended up playing in 128 games and hit .258 with 20 home runs, 77 RBIs and a .436 slugging percentage. He hit .221 with a .397 slugging percentage over his final 37 games while playing through the injury.
DeShields, 26, also had physical issues and went on the disabled list three different times during the season. He was on the disabled list from March 31 to April 21 with a broken bone in his left hand. He also was on the seven-day concussion protocol from Aug. 3-11 and missed two weeks at the end of August with a fracture on the tip of his right middle finger.
DeShields ended up hitting .216 with a .310 on-base percentage and a .281 slugging percentage. He did lead the Rangers with 20 stolen bases and is still the leading candidate to be the Rangers center fielder/leadoff hitter.
The Rangers have not gone to an arbitration hearing with one of their players since Lee Stevens in 2000.