Kevin Jepsen and Lucas Duda Agree to Arbitration Settlements

Beverly Hills Sports Council agreed to two arbitration settlements Friday.

First baseman Lucas Duda settled with the New York Mets at $6,725,000, above the midpoint of $6,650,000. Duda was eligible for arbitration for the third time and had filed at $7,400,000, while the Mets filed at $5,900,000.  Duda hit .244 and led the team with 27 home runs and tied for the team lead with 73 RBI last year as the Mets advanced to the World Series.

Right-handed reliever Kevin Jepsen will make $5,312,500 next season with the Minnesota Twins, well above the midpoint of $5,225,000. He was eligible for arbitration for the fourth time and had filed at $5,400,000, while the Twins filed at $5,050,000.

Jepsen had a 1.61 ERA and 10 saves in 29 games with the Twins after being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays on July 31. Overall, he went 3-6 with a 2.33 ERA, 24 holds and 15 saves last season while leading the American League with 75 appearances.

Jepsen spent his first seven major-league seasons with the Los Angeles Angels before joining Tampa Bay prior to the 2015 campaign.