Cubs, Hector Rondon reach $5.8 million agreement: report

With a noon deadline approaching, the Chicago Cubs and reliever Hector Rondon reached an agreement on a one-year, $5.8 million contract, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Friday marks the final day for arbitration eligible players and teams to reach agreements before contract figures are exchanged and become public.

Also, reliever Justin Grimm and the Cubs settled on a one-year, $1.825 million contract, according to Heyman.

The Rondon and Grimm deals leaves the Cubs with two unsigned arbitration-eligible players: pitchers Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop. If deals can’t be reached this month, they could go to arbitration hearings set for Feb. 1-21 in Phoenix.

Rondon had an off year in 2016 and battled arm problems late in the season. He went 2-3 with a 3.53 ERA in 54 appearances but still finished with a career-best WHIP of 0.98. The 28-year-old right-hander converted 18 of 23 save opportunities and was the Cubs’ primary closer until they acquired Aroldis Chapman in late July.