The Marlins are next in our 2013 Arbitration Eligibles series, with one of the smallest arbitration classes. The Marlins are one of baseball's "file and trial" teams, in that they're known to automatically go to an arbitration hearing if figures are exchanged. Matt Swartz's salary projections are below.
- First time: Ryan Webb ($900K)
- Second time: Emilio Bonifacio ($2.5MM)
- Third time: None
Webb came to the Marlins two years ago along with Edward Mujica, in the deal that sent Cameron Maybin to San Diego. Webb, who turns 27 in February, excels mainly at keeping the ball in the yard. He's generally hittable and doesn't post great strikeout rates, and spent some time in Triple-A in July. But at less than a million bucks, I think the Marlins will keep Webb around for 2013, especially having subtracted Heath Bell from their bullpen.
Bonifacio, 28 in April, missed a huge portion of the season due to a torn ligament in his thumb and a knee sprain. He still managed to steal 30 bases in only 64 games. Perhaps the Marlins will consider making him the permanent center fielder (he also plays infield) in 2013. Bonifacio won an arbitration hearing against the Marlins in February, after the team took their standard hardline stance despite a difference of only $250K.
Assuming both players are tendered contracts, the Marlins are looking at an estimated $3.4MM for their arbitration eligibles.
Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors. To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts. To see projected arbitration salaries for all players, click here.
