With Friday being MLB arbitration deadline day, some big deals went down for some big names and some new records were set with the amount of money handed over by various teams.
MLB arbitration: What to know about some of the biggest contracts handed out
Let’s start with some of the records that were set on Friday, including Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, who set a new bar for first basemen who were arbitration-eligible and two years away from free agency. Alonso and the Mets landed on a one-year, $14.5 million deal to avoid arbitration as Steve Cohen’s offseason of spending continues.
Also at first base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays also came to agreement on a one-year, $14.5 million contract. That set a record for first basemen three years away from free agency.
In the biggest deal of the day, Juan Soto agreed to a $23 million deal with the San Diego Padres, the team that acquired him at last season’s MLB trade deadline. San Diego also paid handsomely for another player brought to the franchise at last season’s deadline, closer Josh Hader, who set a new record for relievers with a $14 million deal.
By the way, Soto’s deal was nowhere close to the arbitration record, set in October when Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a $30 million contract for the upcoming season.
There were seven other players who commanded more than $10 million in their deals to avoid arbitration, including Chris Paddack, who inked a three-year, $12.5 million contract with the Minnesota Twins. The 27-year-old right-hander had his 2022 season (his first in Minnesota) cut short after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He is expected to be able to return to the Twins in August.
Also topping or equaling $10 million in deals were Julio Urías (Los Angeles Dodgers, $14.25 million), Rhys Hoskins (Philadelphia Phillies, $12 million), Brandon Woodruff (Milwaukee Brewers, $10.8 million), Lucas Giolito (Chicago White Sox, $10.4 million), Shane Bieber (Cleveland Guardians, $10.01 million), and Jordan Montgomery, (St. Louis Cardinals, $10 million).
While plenty of players came to terms with their teams prior to Friday’s deadline, there were some notable players who reportedly will be heading to arbitration. Those names include Luis Arraez of the Twins, Corbin Burnes of the Brewers, and Max Fried of the Atlanta Braves.
Also, some interesting notes below from ESPN’s Jeff Passan…
There are a total of 33 unsettled arbitration cases. Details:
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 14, 2023
Biggest $: Teoscar Hernandez wants $16M, Seattle offering $14M.
Smallest spread: Colin Poche wants $1.3M, TB offering $1.175M.
Largest spread: Bo Bichette wants $7.5M, Toronto offering $5M.
Most cases: Rays with 7.