Clubs Have Slight Edge Over Players in 2015 MLB Arbitration

In some of the more high-profile 2015 arbitration cases in MLB, players seem to be getting the most out of their respective clubs by striking big pay days. Pedro Alvarez and Mark Trumbo are the latest to cash-in on the process. But of the 11 cases that have went to hearings before an arbitrator so far, six instances have found the team to be the victor. In order to be eligible for arbitration, a player must have no less than three full seasons of service with no more than six.

Alvarez is a power-hitting third baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has never been renowned for his ability to make contact, holding a .235 lifetime batting average in the majors. He did lead the NL in home runs with 36 in 2013, but his OBP that season was a dismal .296. Alvarez’s defense is also atrocious. He had 25 errors in 823.1 innings at 3B last season and holds a career FPCT of .933 at the position. His inadequacies gave way to Josh Harrison‘s breakthrough performance in 2014, mostly having supplanting Alvarez at third base by September.

The rather one dimensional Alvarez is now expected to be the starting first baseman on Opening Day for the Bucs. He earned $4.25 million last year en route to a .231-18-56 line in 398 at-bats. His agent filed for a $5.75 million salary in 2015, while the club countered with $5.25 million. A $1.5 million pay raise from last season seems a bit much for the 28-year old who digressed heavily in 2014.

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Moving to the NL West, Trumbo’s $6.9 million figure is even more significantly off from what the Arizona Diamondbacks offered at $5.3 million. Part of a massive three-team trade following the 2013 season, Trumbo has been much more productive than Alvarez to this point in his career. Now 29, he experienced three straight seasons with the Los Angeles Angels where he hit 25-plus home runs and drove in 85-plus base runners. On the disabled list for about 10 weeks last season, Trumbo will make $2.1 million more in 2015 salary from last year.

A few notable names who have also won their arbitration hearings is Pirates pitcher Vance Worley and Blue Jays utility man Danny Valencia.

Speaking of the Blue Jays, how can it be that Josh Donaldson lost his arbitration hearing late last week? Despite being one of the more valuable players to his club over the last two seasons with the Oakland Athletics, the 29-year old third baseman is set to make $1.45 million less in 2015 salary than Pedro Alvarez is. Hopefully that will not negatively affect his relationship with the organization.

Donaldson’s WAR from 2013-14 is 15.4, bested only by Mike Trout for position players over that span. Alvarez, meanwhile, has a career WAR of 5.5 dating back to 2010. Once again, he proved to be so ineffective last season that he lost his job to Harrison.