The Orioles have struck a deal to avoid an arbitration hearing with second baseman Jonathan Schoop, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter). Schoop will take home $8.5MM, per the report.
Recent indications were that there was some friction developing between the O’s and the star infielder. It would seem, though, that any budding problems — which might’ve been exacerbated by a hearing — have been forestalled with today’s agreement.
Schoop had filed at $9MM, with the team countering at $7.5MM. The 2018 MLB arbitration projections of MLBTR and Matt Swartz had pegged Schoop for a $9.1MM salary, so he’ll come in just under that mark.
With this deal now out of the way, Baltimore has just one remaining case. Righty Kevin Gausman is scheduled for a trial on February 14, per Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (via Twitter).
So far as Schoop is concerned, attention will no doubt turn to the possibility of broader contract discussions. The 26-year-old has locked in some significant earnings already, with one more arb-eligible campaign to go after 2019, so he has a fair bit of leverage. But the O’s could still take a run at an extension on the heels of a 2017 season in which Schoop checked in with 4.1 fWAR/5.1 rWAR.
Schoop is just the second player who got as far as submitting a salary demand, who settled his case on a one year contract. The other was Jose Iglesias.
Of the 25 players who exchanged figures, two have settled, two signed extensions, the players have won 5 battles, and the owners 2. As many as 14 potential hearings remain on the calendar.
Recent indications were that there was some friction developing between the O’s and the star infielder.
Well now there is friction developing between the fans and Schoop!!!
Schoop pouted by not showing up to Fan Fest on January 27th
Showalter said:”I’m disappointed that Jon’s not here,” Showalter said, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. “I think we all get advice along the way and heed some of it and some we don’t. I think he got some bad advice and it’s one of those things. We’ll move on and it’s unfortunate.”
Now the Orioles appear to have caved and Schoop not only is let off the hook, he gets what he wanted!!! SMH
I am not happy!
I still hope they extend him though
The problem unfortunately is that the Orioles have shown little willingness to even buy out arbitration years and do an extension. They should be looking to extend Schoop, Gausman, Bundy, Givens.
They need to extend Schoop this offseason or this season or else they will run into the Machado situation
FanFest is a joke anyway, just like the O’s front office. Schoop is the best young player they have, besides Machado who is as good as gone, and they’re playing hardball with him over 1.5 million dollars.
That is why Manny is leaving, and that’s why Schoop will leave too.
Orioles need to extend Schoop, especially since they missed the boat years ago on keeping Machado. Plus he’s my favorite player on the team, so I’m pretty biased in wanting him to stay.
Same here- agree with everything. I love schoop and he is there best asset for the future. They can’t get into the Machado situation and lose him too
He needs to go sign 8.5M autographs now since he skipped fanfest
They need to extend him as others have said however the question is does he want to extend with the o’s or test the market and walk ?
Whatever they do with schoop will probably be the wrong choice. Nothing seems to go right with them at the moment. You could make a better team out of former Orioles than current ones minus Machado, who will be a former Orioles within a year. Reynolds, Pearce, Machado, markakis, parra, Cruz, Andrew Miller, Miguel Gonzalez, arrieta, bridwell, bud Norris, Matt Albers… all have performed better elsewhere. Something is wrong within. Jones has been the only one to be a positive keeper, for the most part
Dump him now!
Neither him nor his brother Manny want to be in Baltimore. Who can blame them? Send him to NY and his brother Manny To Milwaukee