Gaudin Healthy Enough for Spring

The Oakland Athletics have avoided their final salary arbitration case this offseason, signing Chad Gaudin to a $1.775 million, one-year contract Friday. In addition to his regular salary, Gaudin could earn $100,000 in performance bonuses based on innings pitched.

After pitching exclusively in relief in 2006, Gaudin joined the A's rotation for the first time last season, going 11-13 with a 4.42 ERA in all, but slumping to 3-10 after the All-Star break. Regardless, he tied for the AL lead with 34 starts last year.

The 24-year-old righty had a torn labrum repaired on his left hip and underwent surgery on his right foot on Dec. 18th and is still in a walking boot. However, he is expected to make a full recovery in time to join right-handers Joe Blanton, Rich Harden and Justin Duchscherer in the rotation.

[Oakland Athletics News] | [Baseball Musings] | [Athletics Nation]