Rockies avoid arbitration with Rex Brothers, Michael McKenry

The Colorado Rockies on Friday avoided arbitration with relief pitcher Rex Brothers and catcher Michael McKenry, according to a club announcement.

Brothers will receive $1.4 million from the Rockies, just $100,000 more than what MLB Trade Rumors and Matt Swartz projected. Brothers struggled mightily in 2014, posting a 5.59 ERA/131 ERA- to go along with career-worst strikeout and walk rates. The 27-year-old left-hander still owns strong numbers for his career, entering his fifth major league season with a 3.49 ERA/79 ERA- and 10.6 SO/9. Walks might always be a problem; Brothers has issued more than five free passes per nine innings, a weakness in his game that has likely prevented him from being a top-tier reliever in the game.

McKenry will make just a hair over $1 million, which is quite a bit less than the $1.5 million projected by Swartz. McKenry enjoyed a career season, albeit with limited playing time, hitting .315/.398/.512 with eight home runs in 192 plate appearances in 2014. Despite the solid year, the 29-year-old backstop might find himself and his 141 OPS+ on the Rockies' bench to start 2015.

The Rockies also avoided arbitration with right-handed starter Jhoulys Chacin, signing the 27-year-old hurler to a $5.5 million deal in his final season before free agency.

That leaves two players remaining unsigned for 2015. Colorado is $475,000 apart in its negotiations with reliever Adam Ottavino, who is seeking just shy of $1.5 million. Swartz had the 29-year-old righty pegged for an even $1 million.

Wilin Rosario is asking for $3.3 million, which is significantly less than the $3.6 million Swartz predicted but $500,000 more than the Rockies offered.

Colorado has until Feb. 1 to agree to terms with their two remaining arbitration-eligible players. If the sides fail to reach a compromise by then, their cases will be heard in front of a three-person arbitration panel that will decide whether to rule in favor of the player or the club, but nothing in between.

The Rockies haven't gone to arbitration since 2008 and have done so only three times in their existence.