Gonzalez, Braves agree to $3.45M, 1-year deal

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves have avoided arbitration with closer Mike Gonzalez by agreeing to a $3.45 million, one-year contract.

Gonzalez was successful in 14 of 16 save chances last year after returning June 18 from elbow ligament-replacement surgery. He was 0-3 with a 4.28 ERA.

The 30-year-old, who made $2,362,500, converted 39 consecutive saves before the streak ended Sept. 9.

Atlanta also announced its one-year agreement with outfielder Matt Diaz. That deal, agreed to last week, is worth $1,237,500.

Three other Braves remain in arbitration: right fielder Jeff Francoeur, second baseman Kelly Johnson and first baseman Casey Kotchman.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/1/216982