Although it took until 11 a.m. on the last day, the Dodgers have avoided arbitration with all five of their arbitration-eligible players, thus clearing the final hurdle heading into spring training at Camelback Ranch on February 26.

After Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis accepted a one-year/$4.25 million deal on Tuesday, a raise of $700,000 over last season; and outfielder Chris Heisey a one-year/$2.16 million deal on Thursday, up from the $1.76-million he received from the Reds last season before being acquired by the Dodgers on December 2 in a deal that sent right-hander Matt Magill to Cincinnati, that left only utility infielder Justin Turner, right-hander Juan Nicasio and closer Kenley Jansen unsigned heading into Friday’s deadline. But at the 11th hour, literally, the Twittersphere lit up with reports that all three had accepted one-year contracts, thus avoiding arbitration.

Turner will receive $2.5 million in 2015, a $1.225 million raise over last season when he led the team in batting average (.340), on-base percentage (.404) and was third in slugging percentage (.493) among all Dodgers appearing in more than 95 games. Turner also slugged seven home runs and drove in 43 runs in 2014. He was, in every sense, the glue that held the team together and is a huge fan favorite.

The Dodgers would absolutely love to get the same kind of production out of Justin Turner in 2015 that they did last season. The popular southern California native appeared in 109 games in 2014.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)

Nicasio, who was acquired by the Dodgers on November 24 from the Colorado Rockies for minor league outfielder Noel Cuevas, will make $2.3 million, having earned $2.025 last year from Colorado. The 28-year-old San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic native posted a 6-6 record with a 5.38 (Coors Field) ERA in the 33 games in which he appeared, 14 of which were starts. Nicasio will most likely be used exclusively out of the Dodgers bullpen in 2015 but could be called upon to make a spot start if necessary.

Although there were a lot of eyes on Justin Turner’s pending deal on Friday morning, it goes without saying that most Dodger fans were anxiously awaiting word on Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who some though might end up going into an arbitration hearing. But there was a collective sigh of relief in Dodgertown when fans learned that Jansen had accepted a one-year/$7.425 million – a raise of $3.125 million over last season. Jansen appeared in 68 games in 2014 with a 2-3 record and an outstanding 2.76 ERA. In his 65.1 innings of work, the 27-year-old native of Curaçao struck out 101 while walking only 19. His 13.9 K/9 ratio was actually better than that of 2014 NL MVP and Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw, who posted a 10.8 K/9 – tops in the Nation League among all starting pitchers.

Jansen’s 44 saves in 2014 ranked third in the National League – only three behind Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel for the league lead. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Even though the salary part of the 40-man roster is now set for 2015 with an MLB-leading payroll of slightly under $260 million, that number could actually go up should the Dodgers go after another big name starter such as Max Scherzer or Cole Hamels. It was also reported on Thursday that the Dodgers are in on 19-year-old Cuban phenom infielder Yoan Moncada, who is expected to earn a $50 million signing bonus. Of course that payroll obligation could also go down if the Dodgers find a taker for 32-year-old outfielder Andre Ethier, who is guaranteed $56 million through 2017 with a $17.5 million club option for 2018.

For now it’s safe to say that there is a air of peace and tranquility over the City of Angels – although for how long is anyone’s guess.