"The Dodgers and right-hander Chad Billingsley have avoided a salary arbitration hearing, agreeing Tuesday to a one-year, $6.275-million contract.

Billingsley, who was 12-11 with a 3.57 earned-run average last season, was eligible for arbitration for the second time. He was paid $3.85 million last season.

The team exchanged salary figures with its two remaining arbitration-eligible players, first baseman James Loney and left-handed reliever Hong-Chih Kuo.

Loney asked to be paid $5.25 million for the upcoming season and Kuo requested $3.075 million. The Dodgers countered by offering Loney $4.7 million and Kuo $2.55 million.

If Loney and Kuo can't reach agreements with the Dodgers, their salaries will be determined in arbitration hearings next month.

Loney was paid $3.1 million last season, when he hit .267 with 10 home runs and 88 runs batted in. Kuo, who was paid $950,000 last season, set a franchise record by posting a 1.20 ERA.

The Dodgers also finalized a one-year, $1-million contract with free-agent outfielder Marcus Thames and signed journeyman Gabe Kapler to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to their major league spring training camp.

Thames, who hit 12 home runs as a part-time player for the New York Yankees last season, is expected to split time with Jay Gibbons in left field. Thames can receive an additional $800,000 in incentives."