Right-hander Matt Garza has agreed to a one-year, $9.5-million US contract with the Chicago Cubs, just before the scheduled start of a salary arbitration hearing in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Friday's agreement was $725,000 below the midpoint between the $12.5 million the pitcher had asked for in arbitration last month and $7.95 million the Cubs had offered.

Garza was acquired from Tampa Bay in January 2011 and went 10-10 with a 3.32 ERA in his first season with the Cubs, when he made $5.95 million. He had a team-high 197 strikeouts in 198 innings.

The 28-year-old Garza is 52-54 with a 3.83 ERA in 152 career games over six seasons.

He can earn additional performance bonuses.

Brewers, Marcum reach deal

Pitcher Shaun Marcum and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a one-year contract worth $7,725,000, just ahead of the scheduled start of their salary arbitration hearing.

Friday's deal was at 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.

Dodgers sign RP Todd Coffey

The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to terms with right-handed reliever Todd Coffey on a US$1.3 million, one-year contract with a club option for 2013.

The deal, announced Friday, will pay Coffey $1 million this season. The Dodgers hold a $2.5 million option for next season with a $300,000 buyout.

Coffey was 5-1 with a 3.62 ERA in 69 games with Washington last season.

He is 24-18 with 11 saves and a 4.08 ERA in seven major league seasons, including stints with Cincinnati, Milwaukee and the Nationals.