The Phillies settled the first of their four arbitration cases on Wednesday afternoon.  Catcher Cameron Rupp agreed to a one-year, $2.05 million deal with the Phillies, avoiding salary arbitration, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer. 2018 is Rupp's first salary abitration elilgible season.

Rupp will enter Spring Training facing a potential logjam at the catching position.  Andrew Knapp performed capably last season as a backup to Rupp, while prospect Jorge Alfaro appears poised to inherit the starting job in 2018.  Alfaro is out of minor league options, meaning he needs to stay with the big league club in 2018 or they will risk losing him.

As Gelb reminded fans, arbitration-year contracts are not guaranteed.  Before the end of Spring Training, the Phillies can release Rupp and only be responsible for 25 percent of his contract.  The Phillies also could trade Rupp if there was a team with a need.

The other three arbitration-eligible players are second baseman Cesar Hernandez, reliever Luis Garcia and third baseman Maikel Franco.

More From 97.3 ESPN