The deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players is this afternoon at 4pm CT. Throughout the day, we’ll surely see a handful of arb-eligible players agree to terms with their clubs to avoid a hearing.
These so-called “pre-tender deals” usually, although not always, involve players who were borderline non-tender candidates. Rather than run the risk of being cut loose, they can look to sign in the lead-up to the deadline. Those salaries often come in a little below projections, since these players tend to have less leverage because of the uncertainty about whether they’ll be offered a contract at all.
Under the 2022-26 collective bargaining agreement, players who sign to avoid an arbitration hearing are guaranteed full termination pay. That’s a change from prior CBAs, when teams could release an arb-eligible player before the season began and would only owe a prorated portion of the contract. This was done to incentivize teams and players to get deals done without going to a hearing.
All salary projections in this post come via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz. This post will be updated throughout the day as deals are announced and/or reported.
- The Braves announced that they have signed infielder Vidal Bruján, infielder Mauricio Dubón, left-hander Joey Wentz and outfielder Eli White for the 2026 season. Salary figures haven’t been reported yet but Bruján’s deal was announced as a split contract.
- The Twins signed right-hander Justin Topa to a one-year, $1.225MM deal. MLBTR covered that earlier in this post. The Twins turned down a $2MM club option for Topa, giving him a $225K buyout instead, but he remained under club control via arb. Between the buyout and next year’s salary, he’ll collect $1.45MM. Darren Wolfson of KSTP reported Topa’s 2026 salary.
Photo courtesy of William Liang, Imagn Images
Good day to shore up depth. Be nice to see the Angels pick up a couple guys today.
Thank you for correctly saying ‘shore up’ instead of ‘sure up’.
Some of my fellow Braves fans won’t like it, but I’m glad they re-signed Eli White. Speed, power, defensive flexibility. He also hit the only 2 pinch hit homers they had last season. Like the signing even better if he turns out to be the 5th of’er instead of the 4th. Now get Kim. Dubon, White, and the catcher not in the lineup (Baldwin/Murphy) is a bench worth having—for a change. Get another of’er—JJ Bleday for example—and you’re there.
I think Kim, Dubon, and White are too many guys that can’t hit. I like Eli more than most, but too much PT exposes him.
@Sid: Feel somewhat the same about White, thus my comments on hoping Eli’s the 5th of’er, not the 4th. His speed, defense, and decent power make him a valuable bench asset. Do I wish White struck out less? Absolutely, and I don’t want him starting too much either. . Hopefully only one of the 3 is in the starting lineup and the other 2 are where they belong.—depth on the bench. The bench last year w/Luke Williams and Brujan was pitiful. Dubon’s weakish bat and strong defense is still a nice upgrade over those guys. Btw, I’d like a better hitter at SS than Kim too, but not seeing who that guy might be right now. Hopefully AA does.
Kim’s bay is just fine especially when you match it to his glove work.
I like the Dubón move more & more. His versatility is going to be key.
Would like them to bring in a 3rd catcher on the bench. Tromp is fine or keep him in AAA and bring back Sandy. Or maybe try and pull off a deal for Endy Rodriguez who can offer even more versatility.
Baldwin & Murphy will both be in the lineup everyday. Nice to have a guy that can play in a pinch and hold his own defensively if needed.