Phillies agree to one-year deal with Fultz

PHILADELPHIA -- Aaron Fultz and the Philadelphia Phillies avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a $1.2 million, one-year contract.

Fultz went 4-0 with a 2.24 ERA in 62 games with the Phillies last year. He held opponents to a .186 batting average and 5.85 hits/9.0 innings, both fourth-lowest among NL relievers.

``Aaron had a very consistent year in 2005 and he has found his niche with us as a valuable piece of the bullpen mix,`` assistant general manger Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

Fultz is 18-11 with a 4.34 ERA in 348 games for San Francisco (2000-02), Texas (2003), Minnesota (2004) and Philadelphia (2005).

The Phillies have three arbitration-eligible players remaining: outfielders Endy Chavez and Jason Michaels and right-hander Brett Myers.