The Major League Baseball (MLB) arbitration process is a yearly spectacle that captures the off-field drama in a way even the most loyal fans can’t resist! Thursday brought us the annual arbitration salary filing deadline, a pivotal checkpoint for teams and their arbitration-eligible players.
By 8 p.m. ET, both camps had submitted their salary expectations for 2025, setting the stage for potential arbitration hearings where a three-person panel picks between the player’s figure and the team’s. No middle ground. It’s baseball’s version of a courtroom showdown.
Now, most players bypass the fireworks by agreeing to one-year deals before the filing deadline. Arbitration hearings can get messy—just ask Corbin Burnes, who left his 2023 hearing with the Brewers feeling “hurt.” With both sides keen to avoid such drama, only a few cases usually make it to the hearing phase.
Big Headlines from the MLB Filing Frenzy
For the uninitiated, arbitration is for players with 3-6 years of MLB service time, plus a select group called Super Twos, who go through arbitration four times instead of three.
These players’ salaries are based on comparisons with others at similar service levels. Performance is secondary to that ever-crucial “service time.”
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Blockbuster Deal
The standout news? Guerrero and the Blue Jays agreed on a $28.5 million deal, narrowly avoiding arbitration.
That figure, while slightly below MLB Trade Rumors’ $29.6 million projection, is one of the largest one-year contracts ever for an arbitration-eligible player.
Guerrero’s total arbitration earnings now exceed $70 million, trailing only Juan Soto’s record $79.6 million for a Super Two player.
Padres Secure Key Players Amid Trade Rumors
The Padres locked in Luis Arraez ($14 million) and Dylan Cease ($13.75 million) for 2025, even as both remain trade candidates.
Settling their salaries might ignite trade talks, providing clarity for potential suitors.
Extensions in the Works?
Players like Garrett Crochet (Red Sox) and Brendan Donovan (Cardinals) could ink multi-year extensions despite agreeing to one-year deals for now.
Thursday’s deadline doesn’t preclude long-term negotiations—just another layer of the offseason chessboard.
MLB’s Notable Signings and Holdouts
Big-money deals flew in, with Framber Valdez, Zac Gallen, and Randy Arozarena among those securing hefty contracts.
On the flip side, players like Kyle Tucker and Jarren Duran remain unsigned, potentially heading toward arbitration hearings. These cases will keep the MLB rumor mill spinning until resolutions are reached.
And so, with salary figures filed and tensions rising, we enter the next act of this offseason drama. Let the hearings—or last-minute deals—begin!
