MLB Arbitration: Who’s asking, offering how much
Teams and players exchanged figures this week in the MLB arbitration process. Find out what player’s submitted and what their teams offered.
Nineteen players and their teams exchanged figures by the expiration of Wednesday’s MLB Arbitration noon deadline to do so.
Among those 19 cases, the widest difference exists between the Houston Astros and outfielder George Springer. Springer, an arbitration 4 case, is seeking $22.5 million. The Astros offered $17.5 million, $5 million less.
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In two other cases, the gaps exceeded $2 million. Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto, an arbitration 3 case, filed seeking $12.4 million for 2020; the Phillies countered offering $10 million, a $2.4 million difference.
Ace Brewers closer Josh Hader, a first-year arbitration case, sought $6.4 million. The Brewers offered $4.1 million, a $2.3 million difference.
With four MLB arbitration cases going forward, the Dodgers have more than any other team. The most costly of them involves outfielder Joc Pederson, an arbitration 3 case who is seeking $9.5 million. The Dodgers set his value at $7.75 million, a $1.75 million difference.
The other Dodger cases include:
- Max Muncy, arbitration 1, seeking $4.675; offered $4 million.
- Chris Taylor, arbitration 2, seeking $5.8 million; offered $5.25 million.
- Pedro Baez, arbitration 3, seeking $4 million, offered $3.5 million.
The cases will be heard in February by an arbitration panel, which is obligated under the Basic Agreement to select either the player’s or team’s figure. In the interim, players and teams may continue to negotiate, although several teams have a “file and trial’ policy that prohibits such negotiations once figures are exchanged.
The table below shows the figures exchanged in the 19 existing MLB arbitration cases. Earlier this month on this site I calculated the actual on-field values produced by hundreds of players; that value is also shown for the 16 players for whom it was calculated. The boldface type indicates which number – the player’s or the team’s – is closer to the player’s actual on-field value. In 11 of the cases, the player’s request is closer; in five, the team’s offer is closer.
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Player, team Player figure Team figure Actual value
Jesus Aguilar, Mia $ 2.575 $2.325 $ 6.484
Nick Ahmed, Ari $ 6.950 $6.600 $ 6.300
Pedro Baez, LA $ 4.000 $3.500
Andrew Benintendi, Bos $ 4.150 $3.400 $ 5.146
Jose Berrios, Min $ 4.400 $4.025 $12.223
Archie Bradley, Ari $ 4.100 $3.625 $ 4.852
Brian Goodwin, LAA $ 2.200 $1.850 $ 6.077
Shane Green, Atl $ 6.750 $6.250 $ 6.308
Josh Hader, Mil $ 6.400 $4.100 $ 7.341
Max Muncy, LA $ 4.675 $4.000 $ 8.987
Hector Neris, Phi $ 5.200 $4.250
Joc Pederson, LA $ 9.500 $7.750 $ 8.883
J.T. Realmuto, Phi $12.400 $10.000 $ 7.633
Eduardo Rodriguez, Bos$ 8.975 $8.300 $12.606
George Springer, Hou $22.500 $17.500 $10.468
Trevor Story, Col $11.500 $10.750 $ 7.548
Brent Suter, Mil $ 1.250 $0.825
Chris Taylor, LA $ 5.800 $5.250 $ 6.796
Tony Wolters, Col $ 2.475 $1.900 $ 2.970