Juan Pierre can opt out of Phillies contract on March 31 - MLB

Juan Pierre’s minor-league contract with the Phillies included an invitation to spring training and an opt-out clause that allows him to become a free agent again on March 31 if he’s not on the big-league roster.

If he does make the team Pierre will get $800,000 in guaranteed money and Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Daily News speculates that he’s a near-lock to do so in part because Ryan Howard’s injury creates a roster opening.

As for why Pierre chose to sign with the Phillies, he revealed:

To be honest, I didn’t have too many choices. It was late in the offseason and I felt [general manager] Ruben [Amaro Jr.] pretty much had his team set, so once they called I was shocked and I guess honored, too. They’re not in the business of wasting time. They’re in the business of winning.

And business is good!

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Pitcher Max Fried went to salary arbitration with the Atlanta Braves for the second straight year, asking for $15 million instead of the team’s $13.5 million offer.

The 29-year-old left-hander went 14-7 for the second straight season and lowered his ERA to 2.48 from 3.04 in 2021. Fried was a first-time All-Star last season, was second to Miami’s Sandy Alcantara in Cy Young Award voting and was third in the National League in ERA behind Alcantara and Julio Urias with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Fried won a $6.85 million salary last year instead of the team’s $6.6 million proposal in arbitration. That was after he pitched six shutout innings in World Series Game 6 as the Braves won their first title since 1995.

Fried, who is eligible for free agency after the 2024 World Series, had his case heard Friday by a panel that’s expected to issue a decision Saturday.

Players have won two of three decisions so far: Pitcher Jesus Luzardo ($2.45 million) and AL batting champion Luis Arraez ($6.1 million) both beat the Miami Marlins. But Seattle defeated Diego Castillo ($2.95 million).

A decision is being held for Los Angeles Angels outfielder Hunter Renfroe, whose case was argued Monday. About 20 more cases are scheduled through Feb. 17.