NEW YORK -- Relief pitcher Bobby Parnell and the New York Mets have avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $1.7 million.
The deal was completed Thursday.
Parnell has been a key member of New York's bullpen the past few years. He led the team with 74 appearances last season, going 5-4 with a 2.49 ERA and seven saves. The hard-throwing righty had 61 strikeouts and 20 walks in 68 2-3 innings.
Parnell made $504,000 last season, when he fell just short in service time of being eligible for arbitration. He's been effective as a setup man, but hasn't been able to lock down the closer job despite several opportunities with the Mets.
A pair of New York players remain in arbitration: first baseman Ike Davis and second baseman Daniel Murphy.
