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Left-hander Joe Beimel agreed to a $535,000, one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, avoiding salary arbitration.

Beimel struggled in a setup role after the Pirates traded Scott Sauerbeck to Boston last season, but still got a $213,000 raise. He allowed 25 of 53 inherited runners to score, the second worst rate among NL relievers.

The 26-year-old Beimel, who would have become a free agent if not offered a contract by Saturday, was 1-3 with a 5.05 ERA last season.

Beimel also gets $10,000 if he appears in 60 games, $15,000 each for 65 and 70 games, and $25,000 for 75 games.

Free agent B.J. Surhoff declined the Baltimore Orioles' offer of salary arbitration Friday.

The Orioles have until Jan. 8 to re-sign the outfielder and designated hitter. They made the arbitration offer Dec. 7.

Surhoff, 39, is a 17-year veteran who has spent 5 1/2 seasons over two tours with the Orioles. He hit .295 with four homers and 41 RBIs in 93 games last season.

Surhoff earned $1 million last season.

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