The Orioles have avoided arbitration with utility man Ryan Flaherty, agreeing to a $1.8 million salary for 2017, according to a source.  Our senior writer Dan Connolly was the first to report the deal.

Incentives included in the contract would pay Flaherty $50,000 each for making the All Star team and winning a Gold Glove. Entering his sixth season with the Orioles, Flaherty batted .217 with 3 home runs and 15 RBI in 2016 while playing every defensive position except catcher and center field. He becomes the Orioles’ first arbitration-eligible player to settle this offseason.