Chicago Cubs slugger Kris Bryant set a record for a first-year arbitration-eligible player by agreeing Friday to a one-year, $10.85 million contract.
Bryant surpasses the previous mark of $10 million by Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies before the 2008 season. Bryant and Howard each won National League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards in their first two seasons in the majors.
Shortstop Addison Russell also agreed to terms on a $3.2 million contract.
Other players who agreed to terms before Friday’s noon deadline were left-handed reliever Justin Wilson ($4.25 million), pitcher Kyle Hendricks ($4.175 million) and infielder Tommy La Stella ($950,000).
Reliever Justin Grimm remains the only unsigned arbitration-eligible player, and both sides were expected to change salary figures but will be able to negotiate until a hearing scheduled for February.
The Cubs, however, never have had to go to a hearing since Theo Epstein took over as President before the 2012 season.
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