Despite earlier indications to the contrary, the Orioles have agreed to avoid arbitration with third baseman Manny Machado, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (via Twitter). A prior report from Feinsand indicated the sides were headed for a hearing, but they have instead settled at $16MM.
Baltimore and Machado had actually exchanged figures earlier this afternoon, Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets. But they were evidently able to bridge the gap after each saw the other’s formal position.
The model operated by MLBTR and contributor Matt Swartz projected that Machado would earn $17.3MM in his final trip through the arbitration process. As Swartz went on to write, though, comparables suggested Machado would likely earn a fair bit less.
That’s just what happened, as the 25-year-old was not able to replicate the hefty $6.5MM raise he earned before the 2017 season. Though he still launched over thirty home runs and was a quality all-around performer, Machado’s overall offensive output drooped significantly. He ended the year with a .259/.310/.471 slash line.
It has been an eventful offseason to date for the Orioles and Machado, whose name has appeared consistently in trade rumors. While the O’s are still said to be willing to listen to offers on the pending free agent superstar, the club is also not actively shopping him at this point. That said, there’s little indication to this point that Baltimore will have much of a shot at working out a deal to keep Machado from reaching the open market.
So not a definitive file and trial team. How bout that.
The Os have never been a file and trial team. They usually always work it out because the players don’t want to go against Orioles arbitrator Russell Smouse. He had an exceptional record in arbitration for the Os. He retired last year though so a lot of fans wondered what impact his retiring would have.
Yes, all true, but thankfully gone are the days when the Orioles would all too often go to arbitration with players — thus alienating them.
Yep, but for some reason MLBTR categorized them as a definitive file and trial team. That post has since been changed.
It seems this means they’re keeping him for 2018 and are content with getting the compensation pick once Machado declines the QO. Smart move on Baltimore’s part. That comp pick might make it to the majors by 2023 or so.
Why would it mean they are keeping him?
The actual deal is $16M plus incentives. Why include the incentives if they intend to trade him?
Because the incentives pay out regardless of where he plays, and he wanted the opportunity to make more than the base salary?
Generally the incentives are things like “get elected to the All-Star game,” “win the Silver Slugger,” “get selected as the MVP,” etc. In a standard MLB contract. They tend to be in the neighborhood of an extra $50K-$1MM per incentive.
It’s been a long time (late 90’s), but I remember seeing an article about weird contract clauses. It stated that Doug Linton that had an incentive in one of his contracts for winning “Comeback Player of the Year”. The article said “comeback to what?!” Look up his stats on Baseball Reference and you’ll see what they were talking about.
Any time I hear Comeback Player of the Year I think about Linton.
Oh my god the incentives? That is your reason to say they will not trade him? Hahaha
What do you mean they’re keeping him? They had him, he belongs to them…. this is just the arbitration process.
The exact opposite…. he got over a million less than anticipated therefore he’s that much more attractive to interested teams.
Yah, I’m sure that extra million would’ve turned off a ton of interested teams.
*sarcasm*
Its does not mean they are keeping him. Jesus why say something like that with no basis of support. Explain to us how settling in arbitration rather then going to the arb trial means they are not trading him?
Just move on people. He’s just another casual fan who doesn’t know how MLB contracts work.
Seems the earlier reports were false (nothing new these days). He got 1 million less than his projected total
Is it me or has there been more misinformation this off season than years past ?
Lots more misinformation since there are so many “so called experts” out there on social media and blogs. Anyone can be writer these days.
Not once but TWICE it was reported that garret cole was about to be delt and yet it was the exact opposite. The reporting has been an absolute joke. The ohtani ordeal was even worse
reporters are bored. this off-season has been brutal if you are a reporter or “inside source” so guys are taking any little bit of info and exaggerating in hopes of being the first with the scoop.
It includes incentives, so it may end up well above
It includes incentives, so it may very well end up above his projected amount
How does Manny Machado get less money than Donaldson when Machado is the better player by far. Lol what a joke.
Machado’s younger and earlier in the process.
In baseball guys don’t get paid till they’ve proven themselves for a couple years.
But….. sometimes a team will sign a guy and take a chance when he’s young and sign them for a long deal and like Mike Trout or Longoria in Tampa Bay.
He’s actually not earlier in the process. Both are in their final year of arbitration and will be free agents next offseason. Toronto probably have Donaldson more as a gesture in hopes that he’ll re-sign with them next season. Machado seems like a sure bet to leave regardless
Now let’s see, Donaldson has an MVP, a longer track record, and better overall stats.
The offensive numbers are very comparable. Now factor in that Manny’s defense is light years above Donaldson and he’s 7 years younger.
That’s not how arbitration works. Age means nothing, and defense means very little.
Josh Donaldson has easier the better offensive numbers.
Manny is the better defender but JD is no slouch defensively. The real advantage for Manny is age difference.
When you read up on the arbitration process like I did it makes sense as to why. I didn’t understand at first but Donaldson got what he deserved
Over the last 3 seasons:
Donaldson: ..285/.387/.559/.946 150 OPS+
Machado: ..280/.338/.502/.840 123 OPS+
When you see these numbers it makes you wonder if machado will get better as a player or not. If he doesn’t than he is overrated. It will depend on his work ethic
I’ve often wondered if Machado has Hanley Ramirez syndrome. i have to think his dil is due to being young and simply having a down year. id still take a chance if im looking to make an impact on a team that needs him.
Seriously? I’m an Os fan and that’s ridiculous.
Perhaps you need to read more about how arbitration works and what Super two means before calling it a “joke”.
And Machado is by far a better player? Is that a joke?
Sorry Yankee man on what universe does Machado have better numbers than Donaldson? Jokes on you!
Hehehe, settling for $16 million.
He won’t have to worry about money by next off season. He got a fair raise
Reports are hardly ever correct for Orioles news.
I think this paved the way for a trade with the Yankees. They stand the best chance to resign him next year. If they give Baltimore the pieces they want they can get him half price for this year compared to what they will give him next year.
It paves the way for nothing
Now trade him to Arizona and then Greinke goes to the Braves and Folty, Newcomb, Markakis, & Drury goes to O’s and Kazmir goes to Arizona
The stupid, it burns.
1. Yikes.
2. If Machado is going to Arizona and you want greinke back- itd be more
greinke and more than half his contract, duplantier, drury, pavin smith, varsho to start. No way arizona does that nor would the orioles do that. Its suicide for both teams.
If you read what i posted was a 3 way with the Braves getting Greinke
Why is that ???