Among the many players who avoided arbitration by agreeing to major league deals on Thursday, four came to terms on contracts worth at least $15 million for 2024.
New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto easily leads the list after settling with the team on a $31 million salary, per multiple media reports. The other biggest earners were New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso ($20.5 million). Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Corbin Burnes ($15,637,000), Atlanta Braves left-hander Max Fried ($15 million).
Also striking top deals for 2024 were Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shane Bieber, the 2020 American League Cy Young winner, who will make $13.125 million, and Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames, set to make $12.25 million. Outfielder Anthony Santander of the Baltimore Orioles will make $11.7 million, while first baseman Christian Walker, a two-time Gold Glove winner, is set to make $10.9 million for the NL champion Arizona Diamondbacks.
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena, the 2021 AL Rookie of the Year, agreed to an $8.1 million deal for 2024. The Rays also avoided arbitration with Shane McClanahan, signing the two-time All-Star left-hander to a two-year, $7.2 million deal.
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler, a two-time All-Star, agreed at $8.025 million for 2024 after missing all of last season following Tommy John surgery. Chicago White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease will make $8 million.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski agreed at $7.9 million for 2024, Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jordan Romano, a two-time All-Star, will make $7.75 million, while Boston Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta will earn $7.5 million. Diamondbacks right-hander Paul Sewald agreed at $7.35 million.
Seattle Mariners first baseman Ty France will make $6.775 million this season, Colorado Rockies right-hander Cal Quantrill will make $6.55 million, while Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins, an All-Star in 2021, is set to make $6.325 million.
Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star closer David Bednar will make $4.51 million this season. Chicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele will earn $4 million in 2024 after going 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA last season and making his first All-Star team.
ESPN reported that 72 reached deals on Thursday, which was the deadline to exchange arbitration figures.
Twenty-two others failed to come to terms with their teams, leaving them headed for arbitration hearings. Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. filed for a $19.9 million salary while the team is asking for him to receive an $18.05 million salary.
The Detroit Tigers and right-hander Casey Mize are arbitration-bound over a difference of $25,000. Mize, who hasn’t pitched since April 2022 due to elbow and back surgeries, wants $840,000, and the Tigers are offering $815,000.
Players who have more than three years of major league experience, but less than six, are eligible to have their salary determined by a third-party arbitrator if they do not come to terms with their teams. A select number of players can become eligible for arbitration after two years.
Most players with less than three years of service time will have their salary determined by their respective teams. After six years, players are eligible for free agency if they are not under a long-term contract.
–Field Level Media
