Players, teams rush to avoid arbitration - MLB

As mentioned in yesterday’s post, Friday marked the deadline for players and teams to come to an agreement to avoid arbitration. A player is eligible for arbitration if he has between three and six years of service time. In some cases, players with between two and three years of service time also become eligible for arbitration, known as “super two” players. If an agreement is not reached, both the player and his team submit a salary to an independent arbitrator and make a case for making more money or paying the player less. Either the player’s submitted figure or the team’s is selected; there is no middle ground. Whether or not players go to an arbitration hearing with their teams, they almost always get raises year over year even if they performed poorly.

There was a flurry of action on Friday in which players and their teams reached agreements to avoid going to an arbitration hearing. Here’s that list, which is still incomplete.

Angels

1B C.J. Cron: $2.3 million (first of three years of arbitration eligibility)
P Tyler Skaggs: $1.875 million (first of three years)
P Garrett Richards: $7.3 million (fourth of four years)
P Matt Shoemaker: $4.125 million (second of four years)
P J.C. Ramirez: $1.9 million (first of four years)
P Jose Alvarez: $1.05 million (first of three years)

Astros

C/DH Evan Gattis: $6.7 million (third of three years)
P Lance McCullers: $2.45 million (first of four years)
P Dallas Keuchel: $13.2 million (third of three years)
P Brad Peacock: $2.44 million (second of four years)

Athletics

P Blake Treinen: $2.15 million (first of three years)
SS Marcus Semien: $3.125 million (first of three years)
P Liam Hendriks: $1.9 million (second of three years)
C Josh Phegley: $905,000 (first of three years)

Blue Jays

OF Ezequiel Carrera: $1.9 million (second of three years)
3B Josh Donaldson: $23 million (fourth of four years)
P Aaron Sanchez: $2.7 million (first of three years)
2B Devon Travis: $1.45 million (first of three years)
P Dominic Leone: $1.085 million (first of four years)
OF Kevin Pillar: $3.25 million (first of three years)

Braves

P Dan Winkler: $610,000 (first of three years)
P Arodys Vizcaino: $3.4 million (third of four years)

Brewers

P Corey Knebel: $3.65 million (first of four years)
P Jimmy Nelson: $3.7 million (first of three years)
IF Jonathan Villar: $2.55 million (first of three years)
IF/OF Hernan Perez: $1.975 million (first of three years)

Cardinals

OF Marcell Ozuna: $9 million (second of three years)
P Michael Wacha: $5.3 million (second of three years)
P Tyler Lyons: $1.2 million (first of three years)

Cubs

P Justin Wilson: $4.25 million (third of three years)
P Kyle Hendricks: $4.175 million (first of three years)
2B Tommy La Stella: $950,000 (first of three years)
3B Kris Bryant: $10.85 million (first of four years)
SS Addison Russell: $3.2 million (first of four years)

Note: Bryant’s $10.85 million salary is a record for a player eligible for arbitration for the first time. Former Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard previously held the record, earning $10 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility going into the 2008 season.

Diamondbacks

3B Jake Lamb: $4.275 million (first of three years)
OF A.J. Pollock: $7.75 million (third of three years)
P Andrew Chafin: $1.195 million (first of three years)
P Brad Boxberger: $1.85 million (second of three years)
C Chris Hermann: $1.3 million (second of three years)
P Taijuan Walker: $4.825 million (second of four years)
P Robbie Ray: $3.95 million (first of three years)
SS Nick Ahmed: $1.275 million
SS Chris Owings: $3.4 million
OF David Peralta: $3.3 million

Dodgers

C Yasmani Grandal: $7.9 million (third of three years)
P Pedro Baez: $1.5 million (first of three years)
P Josh Fields: $2.2 million (second of three years)
OF Enrique Hernandez: $1.6 million (first of three years)
P Tony Cingrani: $2.3 million (second of three years)
P Alex Wood: $6 million (second of three years)

Giants

2B Joe Panik: $3.45 million (first of three years)
P Will Smith: $2.5 million (third of four years)
P Hunter Strickland: $1.55 million (first of four years)
P Sam Dyson: $4.425 million (second of four years)
P Cory Gearrin: $1.675 million (second of three years)

Indians

OF Lonnie Chisenhall: $5.5875 million (fourth of four years)
P Danny Salazar: $5 million (second of four years)

Mariners

P David Phelps: $5.55 million (fourth of four years)
P James Paxton: $4.9 million (second of four years)
P Erasmo Ramirez: $4.2 million (third of four years)
P Nick Vincent: $2.75 million (second of three years)

Marlins

IF Miguel Rojas: $1.18 million (first of three years)
IF Derek Dietrich: $2.9 million (second of four years)

Mets

P Matt Harvey: $5.625 million (third of three years)
IF Wilmer Flores: $3.4 million (second of three years)
C Travis d'Arnaud: $3.475 million (second of three years)
P Jacob deGrom: $7.4 million (first of four years)
P Hansel Robles: $900,000 (first of four years)
P Noah Syndergaard: $2.975 million (first of four years)
P A.J. Ramos: $9.225 million (third of three years)
P Jeurys Familia: $7.925 million

Nationals

P Tanner Roark: $6.475 million (second of three years)
OF Michael Taylor: $2.525 million (first of three years)
3B Anthony Rendon: $12.3 million (third of four years)

Orioles

P Zach Britton: $12 million (fourth of four years)
P Brad Brach: $5.165 million (third of three years)
3B Manny Machado: $16 million (third of three years)
C Caleb Joseph: $1.25 million (second of four years)
IF Tim Beckham: $3.35 million (second of four years)

Padres

SS Freddy Galvis: $6.825 million (third of three years)
IF Cory Spangenberg: (first of three years)
OF Matt Szczur: $950,000 (first of four years)
P Kirby Yates: $1.0625 million (first of three years)

Phillies

3B Maikel Franco: $2.95 million (first of four years)
2B Cesar Hernandez: $5.1 million (second of four years)
P Luis Garcia: $1.2 million (first of three years)

Pirates

SS Jordy Mercer: $6.75 million (third of three years)
P Gerrit Cole: $6.75 million (second of three years)
P George Kontos: $2.725 million (third of four years)

Rangers

IF/OF Jurickson Profar: $1.05 million (second of four years)
P Jake Diekman: $2.7125 million (third of three years)
P Keone Kela: $1.2 million (first of four years)

Rays

P Alex Colome: $5.3 million (first of three years)
OF Corey Dickerson: $5.95 million (second of three years)
OF Steven Souza, Jr.: $3.55 million (first of three years)
P Dan Jennings: $2.375 million (third of four years)
C Jesus Sucre: $925,000 (second of four years)
IF Brad Miller: $4.5 million (second of three years)
IF Matt Duffy: $930,000 (first of three years)

Red Sox

OF Jackie Bradley, Jr.: $6.1 million (second of four years)
P Joe Kelly: $3.825 million (third of three years)
IF/OF Brock Holt: $2.225 million (second of three years)
P Drew Pomeranz: $8.5 million (third of three years)
P Brandon Workman: $835,000 (first of three years)
C Sandy Leon: $1.95 million (second of four years)
P Eduardo Rodriguez: $2.375 million (first of four years)
SS Xander Bogaerts: $7.05 million (second of three years)
C Christian Vazquez: $1.425 milion (first of three years)

Reds

OF Billy Hamilton: $4.6 million (second of three years)
P Anthony DeSclafani: $860,000 (first of three years)
P Michael Lorenzen: $1.3125 million (first of four years)

Rockies

OF Charlie Blackmon: $14 million (third of three years)
P Chad Bettis: $2 million (first of three years)
2B D.J. LeMahieu: $8.5 million (third of three years)
P Chris Rusin: $1.287 million

Royals

P Nate Karns; $1.375 million (first of three years)
P Kelvin Herrera: $7.9375 million (fourth of four years)

Tigers

P Alex Wilson: $1.925 million (second of three years)
P Shane Greene: $1.95 million (first of three years)
3B Nick Castellanos: $6.05 million (second of three years)

Twins

IF Ehire Adrianza: $1 million (second of four years)
3B Eduardo Escobar: $4.85 million
P Trevor May: $650,000
P Ryan Pressly: $1.6 million (second of three years)
OF/DH Robbie Grossman: $2 million (first of three years)

White Sox

1B Jose Abreu: $13 million (second of three years)
P Luis Avilan: $2.45 million
OF Leury Garcia: $1.175 million
P Carlos Rodon: $2.3 million

Yankees

P Adam Warren: $3.315 million (third of three years)
P Dellin Betances: $5.1 million (second of three years)
SS Didi Gregorius: $8.25 million (third of four years)
C Austin Romine: $1.1 million (second of three years)
P Sonny Gray: $6.5 million (second of three years)
P Tommy Kahnle: $1.312 million
OF Aaron Hicks: $2.825 million
P Chasen Shreve: $825,000

If a player is not listed, it doesn’t necessarily mean he and his team haven’t reached an agreement — it could just be that the information hasn’t been made public yet. If indeed a player and his team weren’t able to come to terms, then the two sides will hash things out in an arbitration hearing next month.

As of right now, the known players who did not come to an agreement with their teams…

Astros: OF George Springer, P Ken Giles, P Collin McHugh
- Springer filed for $10.5 million, Astros for $8.5 million
- Giles filed for $4.6 million, Astros for $4.2 million
- McHugh filed for $5 million, Astros for $4.55 million
Athletics: P Kendall Graveman
- Graveman filed for $2.6 million, Athletics for $2.36 million
Blue Jays: P Marcus Stroman, P Roberto Osuna
- Stroman filed for $6.9 million, Blue Jays for $6.5 million
- Osuna filed for $5.8 million, Blue Jays for $5.3 million
Braves: P Mike Foltynewicz
- Foltynewicz filed for $2.3 million, Braves for $2.2 million
Cubs: P Justin Grimm
- Grimm filed for $2.475 million, Cubs for $2.2 million
Diamondbacks: P Shelby Miller
- Miller filed for $4.9 million, Diamondbacks for $4.7 million
Indians: P Trevor Bauer
- Bauer filed for $6.525 million, Indians for $5.3 million
Marlins: C J.T. Realmuto, 1B Justin Bour
- Realmuto filed for $3.5 million, Marlins for $2.9 million
- Bour filed for $3.4 million, Marlins for $3 million
Mets: P Zack Wheeler
- Wheeler filed for $1.9 million, Mets for $1.5 million
Orioles: P Kevin Gausman, 2B Jonathan Schoop
- Gausman filed for $6.225 million, Orioles for $5.3 million
- Schoop filed for $9 million, Orioles for $7.5 million
Pirates: P Felipe Rivero
- Rivero filed for $2.9 million, Pirates for $2.4 million
Rays: P Jake Odorizzi, SS Adeiny Hechavarria
- Odorizzi filed for $6.3 million, Rays for $6.05 million
- Hechavarria filed for $5.9 million, Rays for $5.35 million
Red Sox: OF Mookie Betts
- Betts filed for $10.5 million, Red Sox for $7.5 million
Reds: 2B Scooter Gennett, 3B Eugenio Suarez
- Gennett filed for $5.7 million, Reds for $5.1 million
- Suarez filed for $4.2 million, Reds for $3.75 million
Royals: P Brandon Maurer
- Maurer filed for $3.95 million, Royals for $2.95 million
Tigers: SS Jose Iglesias
- Iglesias filed for $6.8 million, Tigers for $5.6 million
Twins: P Kyle Gibson
- Gibson filed for $4.55 million, Twins for $4.2 million
White Sox: OF Avisail Garcia, 2B Yolmer Sanchez
- Garcia filed for $6.7 million, White Sox for $5.85 million
- Sanchez filed for $2.35 million, White Sox for $2.1 million

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PITTSBURGH – When he’s on, Rich Hill‘s pitches still dance. They still dart. They go this way. Then that way. They can baffle hitters with their movement, particularly the ones that don’t come close to breaking the speed limit on most interstates.

In a game that seems to get faster each year, Hill is a throwback. A survivor. At 43 and 19 years into a career he figured would have been over long ago, the well-traveled left-hander knows he’s essentially playing on borrowed time.

Hill is in Pittsburgh to show a young staff how to be a pro while occasionally showing the kids he can still bring it. That example was on display in a 2-1 victory over St. Louis on Sunday that gave Pittsburgh a three-game sweep of its longtime NL Central nemesis.

Knowing the bullpen needed a bit of a break, Hill (5-5) kept the Cardinals off balance for 6 2/3 innings, expertly weaving in and out of trouble with a series of curveballs that hover around 70 mph offset by a fastball that can touch 90 mph but plays up because everything else comes in so much softer.

Hill walked three and struck out six while giving up just one run, a seventh-inning homer by Andrew Knizner that drew the Cardinals within one. He allowed the leadoff hitter to reach in the first four innings and stranded them all as the Pirates pushed their winning streak to five.

“He threw the pitches he wanted to throw,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “They didn’t swing at them. The fact that he’s able to just bounce back and continue to execute shows how savvy he is as a veteran.”

Ji Hwan Bae‘s two-run single off Miles Mikolas (4-2) in the first provided all the offense Hill would need as Pittsburgh swept St. Louis for the first time in five years. Ke'Bryan Hayes singled three times and is hitting .562 (9 for 16) over his last four games after a 3-for-32 funk dropped him to seventh in the batting order.

David Bednar worked the ninth for his 13th save and third in as many days, striking out Knizner with a 98 mph fastball that provided an exclamation point to three days of tight, meaningful baseball, the kind the Pirates haven’t played much of for the better part of a decade.

“We know we have a very good team,” Hill said. “We’ve had meetings in here and we talk about it and reinforce it and just continue to go out there and give that effort every single night and understand that (if) we continue to put in the work, it’ll start to show every night on the field.”

Tommy Edman had two hits for the Cardinals, and designated hitter Luken Baker picked up the first two hits of his career after being called up from Triple-A Memphis early Sunday.

The middle of the St. Louis lineup – Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Gorman and Nolan Arenado – went a combined 0 for 11 as St. Louis lost for the fifth time in six games. The Cardinals left 27 men on base at PNC Park over the weekend to fall back into last place in one of the weakest divisions in the majors.

It’s a division the Pirates – coming off back-to-back 100-loss seasons – are managing to hang around the top of for a solid two months. The bullpen has evolved into a strength, with Bednar at the back end and a series of flashy hard throwers like Dauri Moreta in the middle.

Moreta came on for Hill with two outs in the seventh and struck out Goldschmidt with the tying run at first while Hill was in the dugout accepting high-fives, already thinking about his next start, likely on Saturday against the New York Mets. It’s a mindset that has kept Hill around for far longer than he ever imagined.

“Every time he picks up a baseball, I know he feels blessed to be able to continue to throw baseballs for a living,” Pirates catcher Austin Hedges said. “I think that’s one of the best things he can teach our young guys.”

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Continue a six-game road trip in Texas against the Rangers on Monday. Adam Wainwright (2-1, 6.15 ERA) faces Martín Pérez (6-1, 4.43 ERA) in the opener.

Pirates: A season-long nine-game homestand continues on Monday when lowly Oakland visits. Johan Oviedo (3-4, 4.50 ERA) gets the start against JP Sears (0-3, 4.37 ERA).