WASHINGTON – The Washington Nationals have agreed to one-year contracts with outfielder Michael Morse and reliever Doug Slaten, avoiding salary arbitration with both players.
Morse agreed to a $1.05 million deal and can make $300,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $50,000 for 300, $75,000 each for 350 and 400 and $100,000 for 450.
The 28-year-old Morse batted .289 with 15 home runs and 41 RBIs in 293 plate appearances last year.
Slaten gets a $695,000 salary plus the chance to earn $17,500 in performance bonuses: $5,000 for 60 games and $12,500 for 70.
The 31-year-old lefty had a 3.10 ERA in 49 relief appearances last season, his first with the Nationals.
Morse made $410,000 last year, and Slatan earned $435,000.
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