Colorado Rockies, Charlie Blackmon reach $3.5 million deal to avoid arbitration, per report

The Rockies and Charlie Blackmon settled and avoided arbitration. After the Rockies filed for a salary of $2.7 million and Blackmon filed for $3.9 million, the two sides have agreed to a one-year contract worth $3.5 million.

The settlement was first reported by Jeff Passan of Yahoo! and confirmed a few minutes later by Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

Source: Charlie Blackmon and Rockies settle at $3.5 million. Midpoint was $3.3 million.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 25, 2016

Considering that MLB Trade Rumors predicted an arbitration settlement of $4.5 million for Blackmon before figures were exchanged, many were shocked that the Rockies had filed so low. With the two sides now having agreed to a contract that was well above the midpoint, it seems that the Rockies weren't that confident in their ability to win the case.

The Rockies agreed to terms with Nolan Arenado the day that arbitration figures were due. After settling with Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu remains the club's only potential arbitration hearing. The Rockies filed for $2.8 million, while LeMahieu filed for $3.3 million.