Angels avoid arbitration with Matt Joyce, who signs for $4.75 million
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The Angels agreed to terms with the last of their nine arbitration-eligible players on Monday, securing outfielder-designated hitter Matt Joyce to a $4.75-million deal that was $50,000 above the midpoint of the figures the sides exchanged.
Joyce, 30, who was acquired from Tampa Bay for reliever Kevin Jepsen in December, had asked for $5.2 million, and the Angels offered $4.2 million. Joyce made $3.7 million in 2014, when he hit .254 with a .349 on-base percentage, nine home runs and 52 runs batted in for the Rays.
Joyce, who bats left-handed, was expected to be the team’s primary designated hitter this season, but with Josh Hamilton probably opening on the disabled list while he recovers from right-shoulder surgery, Joyce is expected to see some more time in left field.
