Tigers avoid arbitration with 6 players

DETROIT (AP) - The Detroit Tigers have avoided arbitration with six players Friday, including right-hander Doug Fister and center fielder Austin Jackson.

The team announced deals for 2013 with Fister, Jackson, catcher Alex Avila, right-hander Rick Porcello, left-handed reliever Phil Coke and outfielder Brennan Boesch.

That leaves only right-hander Max Scherzer remaining among Detroit players who filed for arbitration. Scherzer went 16-7 with 231 strikeouts in 187 2-3 innings last year.

After winning the American League pennant, Detroit signed free agent outfielder Torii Hunter and retained right-hander Anibal Sanchez. The Tigers haven't made any other major additions, but working out deals with these arbitration-eligible players was always expected to involve a bit of a financial hit.