Mariners, Bedard avert salary arbitration

PEORIA, Ariz., Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Newly acquired left-hander Erik Bedard Friday avoided arbitration and signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Mariners.

Bedard was acquired Feb. 8 in a six-player trade with the Baltimore Orioles and was given the assignment of starting the Opening Day contest March 31 against the Texas Rangers.

"We are pleased to have Erik signed for 2008 and to avoid the arbitration process," said Mariners Executive Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations Bill Bavasi on the team's Web site.

Bedard had been the team's last arbitration-eligible player heading into spring training.

"It was important to the club to get this done quickly and fairly to avoid any distraction as we prepare for the season," said Bavasi.

The 28-year-old Navan, Ontario, native went 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA in 28 starts last season. He set an Orioles franchise record with 221 strikeouts before missing the final month of the season because of a strained oblique muscle.

He is 40-34 with a 3.83 ERA in five years in the big leagues.