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Mets avoid arbitration with Murphy, Gee, Tejada

NEW YORK -- Second baseman Daniel Murphy and the New York Mets have agreed to an $8 million contract for next season.

The team also announced deals with pitcher Dillon Gee ($5.3 million) and shortstop Ruben Tejada ($1.88 million). That leaves first baseman Lucas Duda and reliever Jenrry Mejia as the only Mets players in arbitration.

Duda, who topped the Mets with 30 homers and 92 RBIs last year in a breakout season, asked for $4.7 million and was offered $3.75 million when players and teams swapped proposed salaries Friday. Mejia, who saved 28 games, requested $3 million, with New York countering at $2.1 million.

Murphy got a raise from $5.75 million after hitting a team-high .289 and earning his first All-Star selection. He and the Mets settled at the midpoint of their $1.2 million gap.

Gee, the subject of much trade speculation, received a bump from $3,625,000 after going 7-8 with a 4.00 ERA in 22 starts.