MLB Arbitration Roundup: Team by Team

MLB Arbitration Roundup: Team by Team
Members of the National League hold up signs during the "Stand Up To Cancer" moment during the 92nd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 19, 2022. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Field Level Media
1/14/2023
Updated:
1/19/2023

Major League Baseball’s deadline Friday, Jan. 13, to provide salary figures for arbitration-eligible players created a flurry of activity as rosters continue to take shape in advance of spring training in a month.

A team-by team roundup of activity:

Arizona Diamondbacks

First baseman Christian Walker agreed on a one-year, $6.55 million deal for 2023, while right-hander Zac Gallen agreed on a one-year, $5.5 million deal. The club also came to terms with catcher Carson Kelly on a one-year, $4.28 million deal and outfielder Kyle Lewis on a one-year, $1.61 million deal.
Right-hander Cole Sulser already came to terms on a one-year, $825,000 deal, while no decision has been announced for infielder/outfielder Josh Rojas.

Atlanta Braves

Left-hander A.J. Minter agreed on a one-year $4.29 million deal for 2023, while right-hander Joe Jimenez agreed on a one-year, $2.77 million deal. Left-hander Lucas Luetge also agreed to a one-year deal at $1.55 million, while right-hander Dennis Santana came to terms on a one-year deal worth $1 million.

No decision has been announced for left-hander Max Fried, the club’s ace who has won 14 games in each of the past two seasons and had a 2.48 ERA over 30 starts and a career-high 185 1/3 innings last season.

The club had already reached deals with right-hander Mike Soroka (one year, $2.8 million), left-hander Tyler Matzek (two years, $3.1 million) and catcher Sean Murphy (six years, $73 million).

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles settled on 2023 contracts with five of their six arbitration-eligible players, including the outfield trio of Anthony Santander ($7.4 million), Cedric Mullins ($4.1 million) and Austin Hays ($3.2 million). Santander posted 33 homers and 89 RBIs in 2022, while Mullins hit 16 homers and stole 34 bases and Hays also hit 16 homers.
Utility man Jorge Mateo ($2 million) and right-handed reliever Dillon Tate ($1.5 million) also came to terms. Only right-hander Austin Voth still has his contract unsettled.

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox agreed to deals with all eight of their arbitration-eligible players, most notably star third baseman Rafael Devers, who agreed a $17.5 million contract for 2023 before signing a 10-year, $313 million extension.
Outfielder Alex Verdugo will make $6.3M after hitting .280 with 11 homers and 74 RBIs in 2022. Outfielder Rob Refsnyder agreed to a $1.2M deal in November. Also agreeing to 2023 deals were righty starter Nick Pivetta ($5.35M), who was 10–12 with a 4.56 ERA and 1.38 WHIP last season, righty reliever Ryan Brasier ($2M), utility man Christian Arroyo ($2M), catcher Reese McGuire ($1.225M) and reliever Josh Taylor ($1.025M).

Chicago Cubs

The club agreed to a one-year deal with infielder Nico Hoerner at $2.53 million, while two more one-year deals were reached with infielder Nick Madrigal ($1.23 million) and right-hander Codi Heuer ($785,000).

No decision has been announced on outfielder Ian Happ, who was an All-Star for the first time last season and hit 17 home runs with a .781 OPS.

The club already had come to terms on one-year deals with right-handers Rowan Wick ($1.55 million) and Adrian Sampson ($1.9 million).

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox had five players eligible for arbitration and have agreed to 2023 contracts with four of them. Righty starter Lucas Giolito, who went 11–9 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.43 WHIP last season, will make $10.4 million in 2023.
Righty starter Dylan Cease ($5.7 million) went 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA and 1.10 WHIP and placed second in the 2022 American League Cy Young Award voting. Righties Michael Kopech ($2.05 million) and Jose Ruiz ($925,000) also came to agreements, while righty Reynaldo Lopez remains unsigned for 2023.

Cincinnati Reds

The club came to terms on one-year deals with outfielder/infielder Nick Senzel ($1.95 million) and right-hander Justin Dunn ($900,000). Later in the day, deals were also reached for right-hander Luis Cessa ($2.65 million), infielder Kevin Newman ($2.67 million), right-hander Lucas Sims ($1.95 million) and right-hander Tejay Antone ($770,000).
An earlier one-year deal was reached with right-hander Buck Farmer ($1.75 million).

Cleveland Guardians

Staff ace Shane Bieber, the former Cy Young Award winner who went 13–8 with a 2.88 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 2022, signed a one-year deal worth $10.01 million. Fellow righty starters Cal Quantrill ($5.55 million), Aaron Civale ($2.6 million) and Zach Plesac ($2.95 million) came to terms for the 2023 season, along with first baseman Josh Naylor ($3.35 million), who hit a career-high 20 homers last season. Quantrill is coming off an impressive 2022 campaign: 15–5, 3.38 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 32 starts.
Two arbitration-eligible players remain unsigned: shortstop Amed Rosario (.283 batting average, 18 steals) and reliever James Karinchak (2.08 ERA in 39 innings).

Colorado Rockies

The club came to terms on a one-year deal with infielder Brendan Rodgers at $2.7 million, while an agreement was reached on a one-year, $1.65 million deal with left-hander Austin Gomber earlier this week.
Previous one-year deals were reached with right-hander Dinelson Lamet ($5 million) and left-hander Brent Suter ($3 million), while right-hander Tyler Kinley signed a three-year, $6.25 million deal.

Detroit Tigers

Four players were eligible for arbitration and all four have agreed to 2023 deals.
Outfielder Austin Meadows ($4.3 million), who missed most of last season due to injuries while also addressing his mental health, and righty Tyler Alexander ($1.87 million) agreed to contracts in November. Righty Jose Cisnero ($2.2875 million) also came to terms, while the team said it reached an agreement with righty Rony Garcia but the terms were undisclosed.

Houston Astros

The 2022 World Series champions came to agreements with five of their eight arbitration-eligible players, including valuable righty Jose Urquidy ($3.025M), who was 13–8 with a 3.94 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 2022.

However, All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker (25 steals, 30 homers, 107 RBIs in 2022) and All-Star lefty Framber Valdez (17–6, 2.82 ERA, 1.16 WHIP last season) remain without deals for 2023, along with righties Cristian Javier (11–9, 2.54 ERA, 0.95 WHIP in 2022) and Ryne Stanek (1.15 ERA in 59 relief appearances last season).

Righty reliever Ryne Stanek ($3.6 million), righty Phil Maton ($2.55M), utility man Mauricio Dubon ($1.44M) and lefty Blake Taylor ($830,000) also came to terms for 2023.

Kansas City Royals

Of the Royals’ nine players eligible for arbitration, all but one agreed to deals: starters Brad Keller ($5.775 million) and Kris Bubic ($2.2 million); closer Scott Barlow ($5.3 million); relievers Amir Garrett ($2.65 million), Taylor Clarke ($1.15 million) and Josh Staumont ($1.025 million); second baseman Nicky Lopez ($3.7 million) and shortstop Adalberto Mondesi ($3.045 million).
Righty Brady Singer, the team’s best starter in 2022 (10–5, 3.23 ERA. 1.14 WHIP), is currently without a contract for the 2023 season.

Los Angeles Angels

Nine players were eligible for arbitration, with 2022 AL MVP runner-up Shohei Ohtani (15–9, 2.33 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 219 strikeouts last season) the biggest name. Ohtani, who also had a .273 batting average, 34 homers and 95 RBIs in ‘22, agreed to a one-year, $30 million deal in October.

Five others—starters Patrick Sandoval ($2.75 million) and Griffin Canning ($850,000), right fielder Taylor Ward ($2.75 million), first baseman Jared Walsh ($2.65 million) and reliever Jaime Barria ($1.05 million)—came to terms for 2023, while outfielder Hunter Renfroe, second baseman Luis Rengifo and third baseman Gio Urshela remain unsigned.

Shohei Ohtani (17) of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after giving up a three run home run to Will Smith (16) of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on March 29, 2021. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Shohei Ohtani (17) of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after giving up a three run home run to Will Smith (16) of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on March 29, 2021. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Dodgers

The club came to agreements on one-year deals with three of its starting pitchers in left-hander Julio Urias ($14.25 million), as well as right-handers Walker Buehler ($8.03 million) and Dustin May ($1.68 million). Both Buehler and May are on the way back from Tommy John surgeries, with the loss of Buehler a blow to the Dodgers championship hopes last season.

Catcher Will Smith also came to an agreement on a one-year, $5.25 million deal. Smith anchored the No. 4 spot in the Dodgers lineup for most of last season. One-year deals also were reached with left-hander Caleb Ferguson ($1.1 million) and outfielder Trayce Thompson ($1.45 million).

No decisions were reached yet on right-handers Brusdar Graterol, Tony Gonsolin, Yency Almonte and Evan Phillips. Gonsolin also has emerged as a key member of the rotation.

Miami Marlins

The club agreed to one-year deals with infielder Joey Wendle ($6 million), right-hander Pablo Lopez ($5.4 million), catcher Jacob Stallings ($3.35 million), first baseman Garrett Cooper ($4.2 million) and left-hander Tanner Scott ($2.83 million).
Right-hander Dylan Floro reached a $3.9 million deal in November. No decisions have been announced on infielder Jon Berti, right-hander JT Chargois and left-hander Jesus Luzardo.

Milwaukee Brewers

The club agreed to a one-year, $10.8 million deal with right-hander Brandon Woodruff, a two-time All-Star and the 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner when he had a 2.56 ERA over 30 starts.

One-year deals were reached with shortstop Willy Adames ($8.7 million), left-hander Eric Lauer ($5.01 million), DH/first baseman Rowdy Tellez ($4.95 million), All-Star closer Devin Williams ($3.35 million), infielder Luis Urias ($4.7 million), infielder Keston Hiura ($2.2 million) and infielder Abraham Toro ($1.25 million).

On Thursday, the team also reached one-year agreements with catcher Victor Caratini ($2,8 million) and left-hander Hoby Milner ($1.03 million), while previous deals were met with right-hander Matt Bush ($1.85 million), right-hander Adrian Houser ($3.6 million) and infielder Mike Brosseau ($1.4 million). Staff ace Corbin Burnes, who won the Cy Young Award in 2021, remained unsigned.

Minnesota Twins

Only one player—designated hitter Luis Arraez, who hit .316 in 2022—remains unsigned of the Twins’ nine arbitration-eligible players.

Pitchers Tyler Mahle ($7.5 million), Jorge Lopez ($3.53 million), Emilio Pagan ($3.5 million), Chris Paddack ($2.4 million), Caleb Thielbar ($2.4 million) and Jorge Alcala ($790,000) came to terms, along with infielder Kyle Farmer ($5.59 million), who hit .255 with 14 homers and 78 RBIs for the Reds in 2022.

Pitcher Kyle Garlick agreed to a $750,000 deal for 2023 in November, but he has been designated for assignment.

New York Mets

The free-spending club still has a number of arbitration decisions to make, the biggest of which will be with slugger Pete Alonso.
Other arbitration decisions still need to be made on catcher Tomas Nido, infielder Jeff McNeil, left-hander Joey Lucchesi, right-hander Elieser Hernandez, right-hander Drew Smith, infielder Luis Guillorme and right-hander Jeff Brigham.

New York Yankees

The 2022 AL East champions have come to terms with only two of their 12 arbitration-eligible players: infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa ($6 million) and reliever Lou Trivino ($4.1 million), both of whom agreed to 2023 deals in November.
Pitchers Nestor Cortes, Domingo German, Michael King, Clay Holmes, Jonathan Loaisiga, Wandy Peralta and Frankie Montas remain unsigned, along with infielder Gleyber Torres and catchers Jose Trevino and Kyle Higashioka. Cortes (12–4, 2.44 ERA, 0.92 WHIP), Holmes (20 saves, 2.54 ERA) and Trevino (.248, 11 HRs, 43 RBIs) were All-Stars in 2022.

Oakland Athletics

The Athletics went 3–for–3 in arbitration agreements, coming to terms on 2023 deals with utility man Tony Kemp ($3.725 million), outfielder Ramon Laureano ($3.165 million) and pitcher Paul Blackburn ($1.9 million).

Philadelphia Phillies

The club did not reach an agreement at the deadline with right-hander Seranthony Dominguez and the two parties will move forward toward exchanging contract figures in an attempt to avoid arbitration.

The club was able to reach an agreement one one-year deals with infielder/outfielder Rhys Hoskins ($12 million), left-hander Ranger Suarez ($2.95 million), left-hander Gregory Soto ($2.93 million) and infielder Edmundo Sosa ($950,000).

An earlier agreement was reached with right-hander Sam Coonrod ($775,000), while no announcement was made on left-hander Jose Alvarado.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The club reached a one-year, $2.44 million deal with right-hander Mitch Keller, as well as a one-year, $2.23 million deal with right-hander JT Brubaker. One year-deals also went to right-handers Robert Stephenson ($1.75 million) and Duane Underwood Jr. ($1.03 million).
A previous agreement was reached with infielder/outfielder Miguel Andujar ($1.53 million), while no decision has been announced on infielder/outfielder Ji-Man Choi.

San Diego Padres

Aside from the reported one-year, $23 million deal with outfielder Juan Soto, the club also came to terms on a one-year, $14.1 million deal with left-handed closer Josh Hader, a four-time All-Star who had 36 saves last season.

Other one-year deals were reached with infielder Jake Cronenworth ($4.23 million), outfielder Trent Grisham ($3.18 million), catcher Austin Nola ($2.35 million) and left-handers Tim Hill ($1.85 million) and Adrian Morejon ($800,000).

Padres sign top international prospect C Ethan Salas:

The San Diego Padres signed top-ranked international prospect Ethan Salas on Sunday, Jan. 15.

Terms with the 16-year-old Venezuelan catcher were not disclosed, but MLB.com reported he agreed to a $5.6 million deal.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Salas is ranked as the No. 1 international prospect by Baseball America, MLB Pipeline and FanGraphs.

“The top player in the class is one of the best catching prospects in recent history,” reads Salas’ MLB.com scouting report. “His strong skills on the field are matched by his notable family ties, as his grandfather, father and uncle all played professionally. He is the younger brother of Marlins prospect Jose Salas, and he could end up being the best player in the family.”

Sunday was the first day of the international signing period, which runs through Dec. 15, 2023.

San Francisco Giants

The club solidified multiple spots on the roster, coming to terms on one-year deals with outfielder Austin Slater ($3.2 million), right-hander Jakob Junis ($2.8 million), infielder Thairo Estrada ($2.25 million), right-hander John Brebbia ($2.3 million) and right-hander Tyler Rogers ($1.68 million). Decisions were also reached with right-hander Logan Webb ($4.8 million), infielder/outfielder J.D. Davis ($3.8 million) and outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. ($1.4 million).
Already reaching deals in November were left-hander Scott Alexander ($1.15 million) and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski ($6.1 million).

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners agreed to 2023 contracts with infielder Ty France ($4.1 million), catcher Tom Murphy ($1.625 million) and right-hander Paul Sewald ($4.1 million).
Seattle failed to reach an arbitration agreement with three players—newcomer Teoscar Hernandez, who was acquired via trade from the Toronto Blue Jays, right-hander Diego Castillo and utility man Dylan Moore. Hernandez, 30, batted .267 with 25 homers and 77 RBIs in 131 games last season.

St. Louis Cardinals

Left-hander Jordan Montgomery signed a one-year, $10 million deal and right-hander Jack Flaherty received a $5.4 million contract for 2023 among seven signings by the Cardinals on Friday afternoon. Financial terms were reported by multiple outlets. Montgomery was 6–3 with a 3.11 ERA in 11 starts with St. Louis following the trade deadline deal with the New York Yankees.

The Cardinals confirmed contracts with right-handed reliever Jordan Hicks, right-hander Dakota Hudson, infielder Tommy Edman, catcher Andrew Knizner and outfielder Tyler O'Neill. Terms of those deals were not disclosed.

Pitchers Genesis Cabrera and Ryan Helsley, the Cardinals’ closer who posted 19 regular-season saves, will submit formal salary requests to the Cardinals on Friday night, the team said. Right-hander Chris Stratton ($2.88 million) reached his agreement in November.

Tampa Bay Rays

Seven of the 14 Rays up for arbitration came to an agreement on a 2023 deal. Outfielder Randy Arozarena—who led the team in homers (20) and RBIs (89)—signed for one year and $4.15 million, joining catcher Francisco Mejia ($2.155 million), utility man Christian Bethancourt ($1.35 million) and pitchers Andrew Kittredge ($2.075 million), Jalen Beeks ($1.375 million), Yonny Chirinos ($1.28 million) and Shawn Armstrong ($1.2 million).
Pitchers Pete Fairbanks (eight saves, 1.13 ERA, 0.67 WHP in 2022), Jeffrey Springs, Colin Poche, Jason Adam and Ryan Thompson, outfielder Harold Ramirez and utility man Yandy Diaz (.824 OPS in ‘22) have not come to terms for 2023.

Texas Rangers

Only one of the club’s four arbitration-eligible players—catcher Mitch Garver (10 HRs in ‘22)—has not come to terms for 2023.
First baseman Nathaniel Lowe (.302 BA, 27 HRs in ‘22) signed for $4.05 million, joining pitchers Taylor Hearn ($1.46 million), Brett Martin ($1.28 million) and Jonathan Hernandez ($995,000).

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays have worked out deals with eight of their 12 arbitration-eligible players, but All-Star Vladimir Guerrero (32 HRs, 97 RBIs in 2022) is not one of them. Neither is shortstop Bo Bichette, who hit .290 with 24 homers, 13 steals and 93 RBIs in 2022. Adam Cimber and Erik Swanson have also not come to terms.
All-Star reliever Jordan Romano ($4.54 million)—36 saves, 2.11 ERA 1.01 WHIP in 2022—leads the list of those who agreed to deals. Catcher Danny Jansen ($3.5 million, 15 HRs in 2022), catcher/outfielder Daulton Varsho ($3.05 million, 27 HRs and 16 steals in 2022), infielder/outfielder Cavan Biggio ($2.8 million), utility man Santiago Espinal ($2.1 million) and pitchers Tim Mayza ($2.1 million), Trevor Richards ($1.5 million) and Trent Thornton ($1 million) are also under contract for this season.

Washington Nationals

The club announced one-year deals with right-hander Hunter Harvey (no financial terms), outfielder Lane Thomas ($2.2 million) and right-hander Kyle Finnegan ($2.33 million).

Deals also were reached with right-handers Carl Edwards Jr. ($2.25 million) and Victor Arano ($925,000), while previous deals were reached with right-hander Tanner Rainey and infielder Ildemaro Vargas ($975,000). No decision has been made on center fielder Victor Robles.