Garrett Atkins signs 1-year deal to avoid arbitration

Garrett Atkins of the Colorado Rockies signed a one-year contract to avoid arbitration. The contract is worth $7.05 million with a 700-plate appearance incentive that could earn him another $125,000.

"I am excited. Now I can just focus on getting ready for spring training and not going to Arizona (Friday for an arbitration hearing)," Atkins told The Denver Post.

The Rockies 3B hit .286 with 21 HRs and 99 RBIs in 2008.