Boston Red Sox avoid arbitration with deals for eligible players
The Boston Red Sox have reached an agreement on one-year deals for the 2019 season with several eligible players to avoid arbitration.
The Boston Red Sox avoided arbitration with several eligible players by agreeing to deals prior to Friday’s 1:00 p.m. ET deadline.
Not everyone waited until the last minute. Tyler Thornburg signed a one-year deal at the end of November. Heath Hembree and Steven Wright followed more recently with similar deals.
That left nine arbitration-eligible players for the team to address heading into deadline day. If the sides are unable to come to an agreement in time, an arbitration panel is tasked with determining if the player will be paid what they asked for or what the team was offering.
The Red Sox rarely let it get to that point but we saw last year a case where they were forced to go to arbitration with a star player. It didn’t pan out for the team that time and they shouldn’t be eager to go down that path again.
We’re a couple hours past the deadline at the time of this writing and deals have yet to be announced for some of the arbitration-eligible players. News continues to leak out well after the deadline, so this doesn’t necessarily mean the Red Sox are heading for a hearing with several players.
We’ll continue to add updates as the news unfolds. For now, let’s take a look at each of the deals we know about, how they compare to the projections forecast by MLB Trade Rumors, and what this means for their role with the team heading into next season.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated following a report from Alex Speier of the Boston Globe that the remaining arbitration-eligible players have all settled on one-year agreements for next season.
Catcher and sometimes utility player Blake Swihart agreed to a one-year $910,00 deal in his first year of arbitration. That’s an upgrade from the near major league minimum of $563,500 he received last year but falls below the $1.1 million he was projected for.
The #Redsox and Blake Swihart settle at $910,000
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 11, 2019
Swihart will be the lowest paid of these arbitration-eligible players on the team this year. The low salary isn’t surprising, in part due to this being only his first year going through the process. He’s also cemented into a backup role and coming off a poor season.
The shine has faded on the once-promising prospect as the team has struggled to find consistent playing time for him. Swihart’s defensive skills behind the plate have been a work in progress for years, with his progress stalled by the organization’s insistence on trying him at various other positions.
His bat was always what made Swihart most appealing but we haven’t seen him approach his potential at the plate in years. It’s hard to find a groove when you rarely get to play. Swihart hit .229 with a .613 OPS in 192 at-bats last season.
Next year will be more of the same. Swihart is a seldom-used third catcher who occasionally fills in at other positions or gets at-bats as a pinch-hitter. Barring injury or trade, it’s hard to imagine his role expanding beyond that.
Right-handed pitcher Brandon Workman received a one-year, $1.5 million deal in his second year of arbitration. This is a raise from the $835,000 he earned last year and below the $1.4 million he was projected for.
Brandon Workman and Sox agree to $1.15M salary for 2019
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) January 11, 2019
The 30-year old has worked exclusively as a reliever since returning from Tommy John surgery that wiped out his entire 2016 season.
Workman went 6-1 with a 3.27 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 8.1 K/9 in 41 1/3 innings last year.
A solid regular season was followed by a forgettable postseason. Workman allowed a run on two hits and a walk while recording only one out in Game 1 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees. He allowed a pair of hits in Game 2 while again only recording one out. Workman followed that by being lit up for four earned runs in 1/3 of an inning in the ALCS against the Houston Astros. He did not make an appearance in the World Series.
Workman is out of minor league options so we can expect he’ll be part of the bullpen on Opening Day. He’s a decent option in the middle innings but his poor postseason performance will make him hard to trust in tight spots.
Catcher Sandy Leon is set to earn $2.475 million in his second year of arbitration, up from $1.95 million last season. He was projected for $2.3 million.
Leon’s breakout year at the plate in 2016 is a distant memory, as he’s now a liability in the lineup. He hit a pitiful .177/.232/.279 with five home runs and 22 RBI in 265 at-bats last season.
Despite his anemic contributions to the offense, Leon still manages to earn playing time with his elite defense and game-calling skills. He was tied for second in the majors at his position with 12 defensive runs saved and committed only one error for a near-perfect .999 fielding percentage.
The Red Sox pitching staff loves working with Leon, with ace Chris Sale using him almost exclusively as his battery mate. Boston’s lineup is deep enough to afford an automatic out near the bottom of the lineup so they’ll keep Leon in the mix as long as he’s keeping the pitchers happy.
Expect Leon to split primary catching duties with Christian Vazquez. While manager Alex Cora may ride the hot hand if either of them shows any signs of life at the plate, the workload should be fairly even by the end of the season.
Left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez will earn $4.3 million in his first year of eligibility, a jump from the $2.375 million he earned last season but below his $4.8 million projection.
Rodriguez is coming off the best season of his career in which he went 13-5 with a 3.82 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 10.1 K/9.
An ankle injury suffered while attempting to cover first base put Rodriguez on the shelf for a month an half. He returned in September but struggled with consistency, ultimately pushing him into a bullpen role down the stretch and heading into the postseason.
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E-Rod coughed up three runs to the New York Yankees in 1 2/3 innings of relief during Game 2 of the ALDS but bounced back with 2 2/3 scoreless innings over his next five appearances. Rodriguez was given an unexpected start in Game 4 of the World Series after Nathan Eovaldi was used to wrap up the final six frames of the previous game’s extra-innings affair. Rodriguez gave up four runs in 5 2/3 innings in a game the Red Sox would go on to win.
Rodriguez’ spot in the rotation seems less secure than the other four starters but he’s the clear frontrunner for the No. 5 spot heading into spring training. Health has always been an issue holding Rodriguez back but if he can stay on the mound he has the potential to build on his breakout season.
Right-handed reliever Matt Barnes jumped from $605,000 to $1.6 million in his first year of arbitration. He was projected for $1.5 million.
Barnes enjoyed a breakout year in which he served as the primary setup man to closer Craig Kimbrel. Barnes was 6-4 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 14.0 K/9. The strikeout rate reaching an elite level is encouraging, although it came with an uptick in walks with a career-high 4.5 BB/9.
His postseason performance was even more impressive. Barnes allowed only one earned run to go along with nine strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings in the playoffs.
Uncertainty with Kimbrel hitting free agency could lead to an increased role for Barnes next season. If Kimbrel bolts for a bigger payday elsewhere and the Red Sox fail to sign a proven closer to replace him, Barnes would be a candidate to ascend to that role.
If Barnes does earn the closer gig and thrives in it, he’ll end up being a tremendous bargain. If he remains in his current setup role, Barnes is still a valuable piece of this bullpen.
Super-Utility player Brock Holt will be paid $3.575 million in his third year of arbitration. He earned $2.225 million last year and was projected for $3.4 million.
Holt bounced back from a 2017 season lost to vertigo and concussion symptoms. He hit .277/.362/.411 with seven home runs and 46 RBI in 321 at-bats this year.
The highlight of Holt’s season was when he hit for the cycle in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees. He finished that game 4-for-6 with three runs scored and five RBI.
The Red Sox move Holt around the field, as the swiss-army knife is capable of covering any position outside of pitcher and catcher. Don’t rule out the possibility he could learn to adapt to those roles at some point!
His versatility is his best asset but Holt also adds value by being a great teammate. Who doesn’t love the Brockstar? When he’s not in the game, we always see Holt locked in on the action and cheering on his teammates. He started a trend of greeting J.D. Martinez with a celebratory hug after each home run.
Every team needs a guy like Holt and the Red Sox are glad to have him for at least another season.
Center fielder Jackie Bradley will see his salary rise from $6.1 million to $8.8 million next season. He was projected for only $7.9 million.
Bradley is as frustrating as ever to watch at the plate. He hit a meager .234 with a .717 OPS this season but still showed flashes of the potential that made him an All-Star in 2016. He was also much better in the second half, hitting .269 with a .827 OPS after the break.
The batting average remained low throughout the postseason yet Bradley earned the ALCS MVP for bashing a pair of home runs and driving in nine RBI against the Houston Astros. He may tally many hits but he sure knows when to make them count!
The 28-year old has always been known more for his glove than his bat. Bradley finally earned a Gold Glove for his stellar defensive play.
Bradley is one of the core members of this team hitting the free agent market next year. While his inconsistent offensive production may make him more expendable, there’s no replacing JBJ’s defense. He’ll also be cheaper than some of the other free agents the Red Sox need to worry about, making him easier to retain for a team facing payroll concerns.
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts will receive $12 million next season in his third and final year of arbitration, up from $7.05 million last year. He was projected for $11.9 million.
Bogaerts is part of an emerging group of young shortstop taking the baseball world by storm. While he can go overlooked because of the other fantastic young shortstops in the league, Bogaerts is undoubtedly worthy of being in that conversation.
The 26-year old hit .288 and set career highs with a .360 OBP, .883 OPS, 23 home runs, 45 doubles, and 103 RBI. He even earned a few MVP votes, finishing 13th on the AL ballot.
Bogaerts is a bit of an enigma in the field. The eye test would leave you to believe he’s improving as a shortstop and his .980 fielding percentage was better than his career rate yet advanced metrics continue to be unkind to him. Bogaerts was ranked dead last among major league shortstops with -19 defensive runs saved.
With free agency looming next winter, Bogaerts has been the subject of trade rumors. It’s possible that he becomes easier to trade now that teams have a clear picture of how much he’ll be paid next season. However, it seems more likely the Red Sox will hang on to him as they defend their title. Bogaerts could be in for a big payday next year if he produces but Boston will worry about that when the time comes.
Reigning MVP Mookie Betts made history with a one-year, $20 million deal that includes $400,000 in incentives in his second year of arbitration. Betts tops his $18.7 million projection by a comfortable margin.
Major League sources confirm that Mookie Betts and the Red Sox are in agreement on a $20M salary for 2019. That moves the bar for the industry - a huge haul for 2nd-time arbitration eligible player, with a massive $9.5M raise.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) January 11, 2019
Betts set a new record for the largest raise given in arbitration, as his salary nearly doubles from the $10.5 he made last year. New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom would break that record hours later, jumping from $7.4 million to $17 million.
He may not have held that record for long but Betts did set another that won’t be topped this year. His salary is the highest for any second or third-year eligible player. The only cases in which someone has earned north of $20 million through the arbitration process are Super 2 players in their fourth year of eligibility.
This is a turn events from last year when the Red Sox were unable to reach an agreement with Betts. The sides went to an arbitration hearing that ultimately went in favor of the player. Negotiations clearly went much smoother this time, which may bode well for the future. Betts may set another record in his third and final year of arbitration next winter before hitting the free agent market in 2021. While an early long-term extension appears unlikely, the front office obviously wants to remain in the good graces of their superstar.
Betts won a batting title by hitting .346 while leading the league with a .640 SLG. He set career-highs with 32 homers and 30 steals to join the rare 30/30 club. Betts also won his third consecutive Gold Glove and the second Silver Slugger award of his career.
Early extension for Betts risky for both sides. dark. Next
The 26-year old has established himself as the best player in baseball and he’ll continue to lead the way for the defending World Series champions.