OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics on Monday agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Justin Duchscherer on one-year, $1,187,500 contract for the 2007 season, avoiding arbitration.

Duchscherer posted a 2-1 record with a 2.91 ERA in 53 relief appearances and notched a career-high nine saves last season.

The right-hander issued just nine walks in his 55 2/3 innings, an average of 1.46 per nine innings, which was the third lowest mark in the American League. It was also the seventh lowest single season mark in Oakland history and the lowest by a pitcher not named Dennis Eckersley.

Duchscherer was 9-for-11 (81.8 percent) in save opportunities and allowed just 3 of his 22 (13.6 percent) inherited runners to score on the season. He missed 42 games from May 7 to June 23 while on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow.

He made the All-Star team in 2005, when he finished 7-4 with a 2.21 ERA and five saves in 65 games.

Duchscherer asked for $1.45 million in arbitration and was offered $925,000 by the A's, who have one player remaining in arbitration: outfielder Bobby Kielty. He requested $2.5 million, while the team submitted $1,925,000.