Orioles reach agreement with Gausman

The Orioles are down to one unsigned arbitration-eligible player after agreeing to terms with pitcher Kevin Gausman less than a week before going to a hearing.

The file-and-trial method comes with exceptions.

Gausman will make $3.45 million this season, according to sources, with incentives possible based on the number of starts. He was seeking $3.55 million and the Orioles countered at $3.15 million, so he settled beyond the halfway mark.

Gausman's hearing was scheduled for Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Reliever Brad Brach's hearing is slated for Feb. 16. He's seeking $3.05 million and the Orioles countered at $2.525 million.

Catcher Caleb Joseph lost his arbitration hearing last week and will receive $700,000 instead of the $1 million that he sought. The Orioles made a final offer before entering the room - I've heard it was $800,000 with incentives that could have pushed the total value of the deal to $1 million - but were unable to reach an agreement.

Gausman, who turned 26 last month, made $532,000 in 2016 while going 9-12 with a 3.61 ERA and 1.280 WHIP in 30 starts over 179 2/3 innings. He began the season on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis, delaying his first start until April 25.

Gausman was 1-6 with a 4.15 ERA and 1.304 WHIP in 15 starts before the break and 8-6 with a 3.10 ERA and 1.258 WHIP in 15 starts over the second half. He crafted a career-high five-game winning streak from Aug. 18-Sept. 14, going 5-0 with a 1.59 ERA and 40 strikeouts in six outings. The former first-round pick out of LSU didn't surrender a run in three starts over 19 innings from Aug. 23-Sept. 3.

The Orioles didn't offer much offensive support for Gausman, scoring one run or fewer in 12 of his 30 starts. The subject may have come up had the sides gone to a hearing.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette stated again at FanFest that the Orioles were prepared to go to hearings with Joseph, Gausman and Brach, but attempts have been made to avoid the uncomfortable process. So far, they have a win and an early agreement.

FOXsports.com first reported Gausman's deal.