Phillies avoid arbitration with Cesar Hernandez

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Phillies settled their salary arbitration case with second baseman Cesar Hernandez by reaching a $2.55 million, one-year deal.

Philadelphia had offered Hernandez a raise from $525,000 to $2 million, and the infielder asked for $2.8 million.

In his first full season replacing Chase Utley, the switch-hitting Hernandez led the team with a .294 batting average, hit 11 triples and stole 17 bases.

He became the leadoff hitter in the second half and thrived in that role, finishing with a .371 on-base percentage. It was the highest OBP for a Phillies regular since Carlos Ruiz posted a .394 OBP in 2012.