Pitcher Guthrie agrees one-year deal with Orioles

BALTIMORE (Reuters) - The Baltimore Orioles have avoided arbitration with pitcher Jeremy Guthrie by agreeing a one-year contract with the right-handed starter, the team said in a statement on Friday.

Financial terms were not disclosed but the Baltimore Sun newspaper said the deal was worth $5.75 million.

The pitcher had asked for $6.5 million and the club initially countered with an offer of $5 million.

Guthrie went 11-14 with a 3.83 ERA in 2010, leading the club in wins, starts (32) and innings pitched (209.1).

In four campaigns with Baltimore the 31-year-old, the team's likely Opening Day season-starter in April, is 38-48 with a 4.06 ERA.

(Reporting by Steve Ginsburg, editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)