Blue Jays re-sign Alex Rios for $4.8M

The Toronto Blue Jays avoided arbitration Tuesday with all-star outfielder Alex Rios, inking him to a one-year contract worth $4.835 million US.

Rios, who turns 27 on Feb. 18, was seeking $5.65 million US in arbitration; Toronto was offering $4.535 million US.

Rios will receive a $3.5-million US signing bonus and $1.335 million US in salary, plus $15,000 US if he is named an all-star for the third straight season.

"We're putting our best foot forward," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said, noting that he wishes to sign Rios to a multi-year contract.

"We have got all of spring training to continue to talk. And we have got the course of the year to continue to talk."

Rios earned $2.535 million US last season, when he averaged .297 with 24 home runs, 85 runs batted in, 114 runs scored and 17 stolen bases in 161 games.

The rifle-armed right-fielder is a career .288 hitter with 52 HRs, 254 RBIs, 308 runs and 61 steals in 546 games since making his major-league debut with the Blue Jays on May 27, 2004. 

Rios was Toronto's only arbitration-eligible player, meaning the last of eight Blue Jays to go to arbitration remains pitcher Bill Risley in 1997.