Cincinnati Reds and RHP Nick Masset agree to 2-year contract, avoiding arbitration

Reds and RHP Nick Masset agree to 2-year contract

CINCINNATI — Right-handed reliever Nick Masset and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a $2.58 million, two-year contract on Saturday, avoiding salary arbitration.

Masset went 5-1 with a 2.37 ERA in a team-high 74 appearances last season. In two seasons with Cincinnati, the 27-year-old pitcher is 6-1 with a 2.32 ERA.

“We’re pleased we were able to get a deal done instead of going to arbitration,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. “Nick was a leader in our bullpen last season and we expect him to help anchor that group over the next couple of years.”

Masset gets $1,035,000 this season and $1,545,000 next year. He can earn another $300,000 in performance bonuses based on appearances and games finished. Also, his 2011 salary could increase by as much as $780,000 if he reaches certain levels for appearances and games finished this year.

Masset’s deal leaves right-hander Jared Burton as the only Reds player in arbitration. Players and teams will exchange proposed salaries on Tuesday.