Last minute deal

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Pitcher Shaun Marcum and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a one-year, US$7.725-million deal Friday just ahead of the scheduled start of their salary arbitration hearing.

The deal was the midpoint between the $8.7-million and $6.75-million figures filed by the sides when they exchanged proposed arbitration salaries last month.

Marcum made $4.05 million last year when he went 13-7 with a 3.54 ERA. He is eligible for free agency after this season.

Reliever Jose Veras is the last Milwaukee player in arbitration.