Ace Sonny Gray, catcher Stephen Vogt reach deals with A's

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Saturday, January 14, 2017

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Right-hander Sonny Gray has reached a $3,575,000, one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics to avoid arbitration.

Also agreeing on deals Friday were catcher Stephen Vogtand right-hander Liam Hendriks. Vogt will receive $2,965,000, a source told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. Hendriksreceived a $1.1 million contract, according to multiple reports.

Left fielder Khris Davis isthe only one yet to settle as he comes off his best season with hopes of carrying it into 2017. He is seeking a $5 million salary for the 2017 season and the A's are offering $4.65 million in numbers exchanged Friday.

Gray entered 2016 with huge expectations as ace of the A's staff then was scratched from his Opening Day start with food poisoning. He first spent a stint on the disabled list with a strain in his upper back before missing time down the stretch on the DL again with a strained right forearm.

After getting hurt Aug. 6, the 27-year-old Gray didn't pitch again until one inning of relief Sept. 28 at the Angels -- an important step according to the team for him to go into the offseason on a positive note.

Gray, a 2015 All-Star who made $527,500 last year, struggled to a 5-11 record after consecutive 14-win seasons and was limited to 22 starts and 117 innings.

Vogt batted .251 with 14 homers and 56 RBI while playing in a career-high 137 games -- one more than the previous season -- in 2016.

He earned $527,500 last year and has been a key influence working with all of the young pitchers moving through the big leagues in recent years because of injuries.

Hendricks, who earned $523,400 in 2016, went 0-4 with a 3.76 ERA in 53 outings for Oakland.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.