Feb 16, 2008 12:45 AM EST

The Associated Press is reporting that Erik Bedard has agreed to a $7M one-year deal with the Mariners, avoiding arbitration.

The two sides are believed to have already started negotiations on a long-term deal. GM Bill Bavasi, who still has not had a contract go to arbitration since he joined the Mariners in 2004, indicated last week that the team was exploring a multiyear extension.

Via AP