The Tampa Bay Rays have signed shortstop Jason Bartlett to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.
Bartlett will be paid $1,981,250 this season under the terms of his contract, up from the $416,600 he made last season.
Bartlett, 29, was named the Rays' Most Valuable Player last season by the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. He became the first shortstop to win the award in the club's 11-year history.
The Rays were 78-47 with Bartlett in the lineup last season, helping the Rays win the AL East division title and reach the World Series.
He led the Rays with a .286 batting average, and hit .379 vs. left-handers, tops in the American League. He also led AL shortstops with 20 stolen bases.
Bartlett was acquired from the Minnesota Twins on Nov. 28, 2007, along with right-handed pitchers Matt Garza and Eduardo Morlan, in exchange for outfielders Delmon Young and Jason Pridie and infielder Brendan Harris.
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