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Friday January 10th was the deadline for arbitration-eligible players and their teams to reach agreements before submitting salary figures for possible arbitration hearings in February.
The Dodgers did reach agreements with five players which included a new record salary for a first-year arbitration-eligible player.
The Dodgers have avoided arbitration with five players, agreeing to terms with right-handed pitcher Ross Stripling, left-handed pitcher Julio Urías, infielder/outfielders Cody Bellinger and Kiké Hernández and infielder Corey Seager on one-year contracts through the 2020 season.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 11, 2020
Ross Stripling and the Dodgers settled at $2.1 million, per the link below. MLBTR projection was $2.3 million https://t.co/zh9nvbDPc5
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) January 10, 2020
Also, #Dodgers utility man Enrique Hernandez agrees to $5.9-million deal. Still awaiting word on Max Muncy and Chris Taylor and Joc Pederson.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) January 10, 2020
#Dodgers OF/1B Cody Bellinger agrees to terms on a $11.5-million deal. SS Corey Seager agrees to $7.6-million deal.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) January 10, 2020
Cody Bellinger was a Super-Two player which means he has four arbitration-eligible seasons before reaching free agency. Bellinger’s reported $11.5M 2020 salary broke Kris Bryant’s $10.85M salary figure that Bryant received for his 2018 season.
However, the Dodgers did not reach agreements with four players and if they follow their “file and trial” mentality, the Dodgers could be heading for their first arbitration hearings since 2007.
The four players include first-time arbitration eligible player Max Muncy, second-timer Chris Taylor and in their final arbitration-eligible periods, Joc Pederson and Pedro Baez.
Sources: The #Dodgers and INF Max Muncy are $675,000 apart. Muncy, in his first year of arbitration, is seeking a salary of $4.675 million. Team has countered at $4 million.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) January 11, 2020
Chris Taylor submits $5.8m, Dodgers $5.25m
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 11, 2020
Joc Pederson submits $9.5m, Dodgers $7.75 m
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 11, 2020
Pedro Baez submits $4.0m, Dodgers $3.5m
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 11, 2020
Arbitration hearings will begin in February, teams and players can still negotiate prior to the hearings but as noted above, the Dodgers are a team that claims that will not engage with the player once each side submits salary figures.
It should also be noted that all of these players are under contract and should have these matters settled before spring training games begin in late February.