By Charlie: The Pirates have avoided arbitration with Jeff Karstens, signing him for $3.1 million. MLB Trade Rumors estimated that Karstens would cost $2.8 million, so this sounds about right.

Karstens' future with the Bucs hinges on this season. If he goes back to being the swingman-type we thought he was, he probably won't be back in 2013, because the Pirates won't want to give him the raise to $3.5 million or $4 million he'd be likely to get after being eligible for arbitration another year.