MLBTR’s Arbitration Tracker is the place to go to see the arbitration contracts agreed upon thus far, as well as the figures exchanged between teams and players that were not able to reach agreement before today’s deadline to swap salary positions. Matt Swartz’s arbitration projections are available here.
After a busy day of dealmaking, 161 players (at last check) have reached agreement on arbitration salaries for the coming season. But 29 other tendered players have yet to reach reported agreements with their clubs. Of course, those players can still settle before their hearings (which will take place in early to mid-February). If the case goes to a hearing, the arbitrator must choose one side’s figures, rather than settling on a midpoint. It’s hardly an unusual number of unresolved cases at this stage, but there are quite a few high-dollar situations still at issue and teams have increasingly adopted a “file-and-trial” approach to the process in recent years. (That is, no negotiations on single-season salaries after the deadline to exchange figures.)
We’ve gathered the highest-stakes arbitration situations remaining in this post, but you can find them all in the tracker. We’ll update this list as the figures are reported:
- George Springer, Astros: $22.5MM versus $17.5MM (Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, via Twitter)
- J.T. Realmuto, Phillies: $12.4MM versus $10MM (Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philly, via Twitter)
- Trevor Story, Rockies: $11.5MM versus $10.75MM (Jon Heyman of MLB Network, via Twitter)
- Joc Pederson, Dodgers: $9.5MM versus $7.75MM (Jon Heyman of MLB Network, via Twitter)
- Eduardo Rodriguez, Red Sox: $8.975MM versus $8.3MM (Jon Heyman of MLB Network, via Twitter)
- Nick Ahmed, Diamondbacks: $6.95MM versus $6.6MM (Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, via Twitter)
- Shane Greene, Braves: $6.75MM versus $6.25MM (Jon Heyman of MLB Network, via Twitter)
- Josh Hader, Brewers: $6.4MM versus $4.1MM (Jon Heyman of MLB Network, via Twitter)
- Chris Taylor, Dodgers: $5.8MM versus $5.25MM (Jon Heyman of MLB Network, via Twitter)
- Hector Neris, Phillies: $5.2MM versus $4.25MM (Jon Heyman of MLB Network, via Twitter)
- Max Muncy, Dodgers: $4.675MM versus $4MM (Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, via Twitter)
- Jose Berrios, Twins: $4.4MM versus $4.025MM (Jon Heyman of MLB Network, via Twitter)
- Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox: $4.15MM versus $3.4MM (Jon Heyman of MLB Network, via Twitter)
- Archie Bradley, Diamondbacks: $4.1MM versus $3.625MM (Jon Heyman of MLB Network, via Twitter)
- Pedro Baez, Dodgers: $4.0MM versus $3.5MM (Jon Heyman of MLB Network, via Twitter)
The Hader one will be interesting. He’s asking for double what the Brewers are wanting to give him.
Just guessing that math isn’t your strongest subject
50% is half right
And well into the category of Failing.
“Trying is the first step towards failure “….Homer Simpson…
I went to school in Georgia myself, and the technical term is “numberin”.
lulz
Not sure your math is correct here. However, yes, it is quite a difference.
Math is hard
Said Kevin Malone…
Yeh….math! I’m just messing. That’s a lot for a first guy. What was Kimbrels first time through? Didn’t they invent a rule for him?
When the article first released, I swear it read $3.2MM versus $6.4MM. I’m pretty good at math. Maybe I struggle with the reading part.
Kudos to you for owning this!!…not many do these days…
Or a good P.R. recovery. A job in spinning a positive out of a negative awaits you Logan…
Just kidding. I for one have misread articles numerous times.
It doesn’t matter. You should just say it did. It read $3.2 and they changed it to make you look bad because they are Never Loganers……
Hader’s ask is way high if you look at the Giles comp.
Why the Giles comp? The way the Brewers have used Hader, he’s probably the one guy who deserves more than what he’s asking for. Who knows how much more mileage is left in that arm?
Better go back to grade school and learn math.
You were taught the Common Core method, weren’t you?
Hader’s gone as soon as Stearn’s finds a trading partner. Whole season will be a salary dump
Just give them the money
man, 20 million is a steal for JT. dont see us winning this one. sure hope we can hamner out this extention.
I think Neris wins his as well. Hector was pretty reliable for the majority of the year.
As for the JT extension, there’s plenty of time, but this should be a huge priority. I’d argue he’s the most important player on the team right now.
Where do you see 20 million? Did you mean
2 million?
It’s 12 million+ in the article. He’s probably referring to the 5 year, 100 million realmuto wants for extension (20mill per year).
This shouldnt be a thing. No one thinks any of those are overpays. Just more cheapskatery by owners.
You can start working on the J.T. Realmuto rumors now.
He gone!
J.T. Realmuto is in his walk year and he’s only made ten million dollars.
I wouldn’t doubt he tries free agency. He can then go to a contender for top money. Why would he sign an extension at this point?
This seems like a pretty small class for arbitration this year. I wonder if this is historically low numbers wise.
I think all of them except Realmuto deserve or should get the higher salary. Javier Baez only got 10 mil.
Not sure Bettinendi’s submitted number is deserving. In a year where the ball was juiced, his offense took a small dive. As did his glove work. Add in the lack of projected power and this being his first time through the process and it could get ridiculous in later years. He’s the one guy who’s value may never be higher and in my view can be traded for good prospects. His ability to become a star is still there but given the team’s needs, i$ look to move him for young pitching, especially given the Cardinals- Rays trade.
Just curious. I know that Nick Ahmed is the Dbacks player rep for the MLBPA and has stated he feels obligated to get max money possible, including refusing to sign a long term contract with the Dbacks, opting instead to enter a Free Agency next year. How many of these other arbitration cases are with MLBPA reps, “union guys” and/or have publicly declared a similar intent?
I hope Ahmed has his best season on his walk year. This tells me they’re not going to resign him. I am disappointed because I hoped there would be an extension, but I’ve seen this too many times.
The Nick Ahmed case makes little sense to me. If you’re talking a 5% difference, you would think the parties could come to an agreement. From what I’ve heard in the past, arbitration hearings can be brutal. The parties may tear each other down to prove their figures are right, then they have to work together afterwards! I’d think they’ll come to an agreement before it gets there.
I can understand being a couple million apart and wanting to fight but a few hundred thousand?
Settle!
“Dear arbitrator, we feel the trash can was worth the extra $5 million Springer seeks.”
Great point
Springer’s agent isn’t messing around
The Twins willingness to harm their relationship with their best pitcher over 375k is laughably on brand. The Onion could not write a better satire of the their entire offseason thus far.
Berrios sure is getting screwed
Shane Greene for about $6.5 million? Bwahahahahaha!!!
Springer is the heart beat of the Astros. May be asking a bit much but would love to see us sign him to a longer term. Can that still happen after arb numbers announced? I think his projected value was 20 mil so they’re each 2.5 away from projected. Hate to have to make a negative case against a favorite player. Doesn’t bode well for FA year ahead.
Settlements can be made at any time. Often the exchange of numbers accelerates that process.
The separation of the numbers should make each side worry. That said, the $17.5m number seems low in his final year and if forced to decide, I think it’s almost a lock that he gets the high number. My guess is they settle at $20.5m.
I’m not sure they will. The arbitrator has to pick one and cannot order a median payment. If both figure they have good cases, it’s hard to see how they settle unless they agree to an extension.
Trash cans are the heart beat, and beats period, of the TrAshstors.
Some of these salaries that the player and their team submit are so close it’s funny how they couldn’t agree to meet in the middle to get a deal done.. that being said I think arbitration sides with HOU on Springer’s salary.
I can see all Houston Players losing.
The George Springer gap will make for a pretty awkward hearing.
The STB tracker lists Trevor Bauer at 1.750 and I’m pretty sure it’s 17.50???
The Dodgers really are cheap screws. Most of their arbitration numbers are less than a million difference.
Well, it’s the same half million the player is fighting over.
Dodgers will win at least three of the four. Muncy might get his money.
Why would the Dodgers go to arbitrator for such a small amounts. It may cause some bad feelings.
Seems odd that some of the disputes are only $500,000 apart, and I wonder why the player just doesn’t agree to the club’s number. Shows how jaded we can become reviewing players salaries. A half a million dollars is a lot of money in my world . However, the player has nothing to lose as he’ll get the lower amount anyway, but there is a risk of bad feelings when the club presents their argument as to why the player isn’t worth the higher amount. Few of us like to hear our weaknesses discussed.