Rays, Zunino sign 1-year deal with 2021 team option

The Tampa Bay Rays have avoided arbitration with Mike Zunino, as the two sides have agreed to a one-year deal with a team option for the 2021 season, the club announced.

The deal will pay Zunino $4.5 million in 2020, with the team option worth between $4.5 million and $5.25 million, according to Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times.

Zunino was entering his final year of arbitration eligibility.

The 28-year-old hit .165/.232/.312 with nine home runs in his first season with the Rays after being acquired from the Seattle Mariners last winter. However, he saved the team 12.7 runs, according to FanGraphs' defensive metrics.

Down the stretch, the Rays relied heavily on Travis d'Arnaud at catcher. He signed a two-year, $16-million contract with the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.