Arbitration Deadline Day Thread

[Seth Stohs]

By 7:00 pm tonight, the Twins and the other 29 MLB teams will have to make the decision whether or not to tender 2022 contracts. The decision has been made on several players, including Byron Buxton, but there are still decisions to be made. This article will be updated as we learn about each player's situation. Check each player's section for updates. 

For more on each of these arbitration-eligible players, you can read much more in The Question: To Tender or Not To Tender. 

Here is the quick summary: 

• John Gant cleared waivers and became a free agent. 
• Rob Refsnyder was DFAd and became a free agent. 
• Willians Astudillo was DFAd, cleared waviers and was released. 
• Jake Cave signed a one year, $800,000 for 2022.  
• In addition to those four arbitration-eligible players, lefty Devin Smeltzer was DFAd, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A. 
• You might have heard, the Twins have agreed to terms with Byron Buxton on a seven-year, $100 million contract extension which also includes some creative, interesting incentives. 

But there is more work to be done, and today (Tuesday) should be an interesting day. The team still have to make decisions on seven more arbitration-eligible players. Here is some information on each of those players (mostly from Sunday's article), but we will have a spot ready to update whenever we hear any news on any of the players. Also, be sure to vote on whether or not you would a.) Tender a contract, b.) Non-tender the player, or c.) Try to reach an agreement at a lower dollar value. If player won't, then non-tender. 

LUIS ARRAEZ - UT (24) 
Service Time: 2 years, 121 days 
Arbitration Year: 1st of 4
MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $2 million 
Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $1.5 million 

 

JHAREL COTTON - RHP (30) 
Service Time: 3 years, 52 days 
Arbitration Year: 1st of 3 
MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $1.2 million 
Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: N/A

DANNY COULOMBE - LHP (32) 
Service Time: 3 years, 8 days 
Arbitration Year: 1st of 3
MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $800,000 
Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $1 million

TYLER DUFFEY - RHP (31) 
Service Time: 5 years, 74 days 
Arbitration Year: 3rd of 3
MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $3.7 million 
Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $3.5 million   

MITCH GARVER - C (31)
Service Time: 4 years, 45 days 
Arbitration Year: 2nd of 3
MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $3.1 million 
Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $3.5 million

 

JUAN MINAYA - RHP (31) 
Service Time: 2 years, 140 days 
Arbitration Year: 1st of 3 
MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $1.1 million 
Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $1 million

TAYLOR ROGERS - LHP (31) 
Service Time: 5 years, 145 days 
Arbitration Year: 4th of 4
MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $6.7 million 
Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $7 million 

 

CALEB THIELBAR - LHP (35) 
Service Time: 3 years, 131 days 
Arbitration Year: 2nd of 4
MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $1.2 million 
Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $1.5 million

Again, we will update this article throughout the day on Tuesday until we learn what the resolution is for each player. There may be some agreements, maybe even multi-year deals. There will be contracts tendered without an agreement. At that point, numbers will be exchanged by the team and the player. There are likely to be a non-tender or two as well which will make those players free agents immediately, like happened with Eddie Rosario a year ago. 

 

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[TopGunn#22]

I tendered everyone but Cotton.  All the others have earned what they would be getting.  We have the makings of a pretty decent bullpen if we can just get a "stopper" at the back end.  I'm bringing everyone back and trying to get Cotton on a cheaper deal.

[RJA]

Nice summary, Seth.  Frankly, given the fact that as things stand at 7:00 am this morning the Twins starting rotation consists on two young pitchers, I would tender everyone, even Cotton, as a strong bullpen looks to be a necessity this year and you never know how relievers will do year to year.  It is best to bring a bundle of them to spring training, keep the best on the roster, and stash the rest in St. Paul as it looks like bullpen usage will require frequent shuttling of pitchers back and forth from St. Paul.  Had the Twins signed a couple of starting pitchers, my answer would be a little different.  Also, it might be that the Twins have plans to put Cotton back in the starting rotation, especially if Rodon and Stroman go elsewhere, so I would tender him.  If the rotation was in better shape, I would agree with Top Gun, but for now I would go with them all.

[stringer bell]

Too many 30+ out of options guys on the 40-man. Coulombe is a “no” for me and probably Cotton, as well. 

[roger]

Tender all of them, Seth.  Question?  If they tender a contract, can they later DFA to open a spot on the 40-man when adding free agents?

[saviking]

Sorry, but the people who say don't tender Arraez or Garver are either trolls from other divisional rivals or just plain dimwitted. 

[farmerguychris]

20 minutes ago, saviking said:

Sorry, but the people who say don't tender Arraez or Garver are either trolls from other divisional rivals or just plain dimwitted. 

I'd absolutely tender Arraez,  Can't trade him while he's still able to walk on those knees if we don't tender him first.  Garver is a no brainer to tender.

[bean5302]

Some definition for folks who may not know what tender means. https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/contract-tendered

Contract Tendered

Definition

To "tender" a contract to a player is to agree to give a contract for the upcoming season to a player who is under club control. Players on the 40-man roster with fewer than six years of Major League service time must be tendered contracts or they will be considered "non-tendered" and immediately made eligible for free agency. Contracts must be tendered to both arbitration-eligible and pre-arbitration players, though the latter group has no say in its forthcoming salary.

Tendering a contract to an arbitration-eligible player does not mean that the two sides set a specific salary, but rather that they agree to come to terms on a salary between the date of the tender and late February. If the two sides cannot come to terms on a salary or multi-year deal, an arbitration hearing will be held and a panel of arbitrators will determine his salary. The offseason deadline for clubs to tender contracts to eligible players typically falls in early December.

Example

Having accrued more than five but fewer than six years of service time, Brandon Moss was eligible for one more round of arbitration following the 2015 season. The Cardinals tendered a contract to Moss and ultimately agreed to a one-year, $8.25 million deal with him to avoid arbitration.

[DJL44]

Wonder if they could pay Couloumbe to play in AAA like they did with Jake Cave.

[twinssporto]

3 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Some definition for folks who may not know what tender means. https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/contract-tendered

Contract Tendered

Definition

To "tender" a contract to a player is to agree to give a contract for the upcoming season to a player who is under club control. Players on the 40-man roster with fewer than six years of Major League service time must be tendered contracts or they will be considered "non-tendered" and immediately made eligible for free agency. Contracts must be tendered to both arbitration-eligible and pre-arbitration players, though the latter group has no say in its forthcoming salary.

Tendering a contract to an arbitration-eligible player does not mean that the two sides set a specific salary, but rather that they agree to come to terms on a salary between the date of the tender and late February. If the two sides cannot come to terms on a salary or multi-year deal, an arbitration hearing will be held and a panel of arbitrators will determine his salary. The offseason deadline for clubs to tender contracts to eligible players typically falls in early December.

Example

Having accrued more than five but fewer than six years of service time, Brandon Moss was eligible for one more round of arbitration following the 2015 season. The Cardinals tendered a contract to Moss and ultimately agreed to a one-year, $8.25 million deal with him to avoid arbitration.

I tendered my sirloin steak last night (sirloin instead of ribeye because of inflation) with a meat cleaver. Does that work with arbitration eligible players too? Does it make them better players???

Things to think about...

[Danchat]

10 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Too many 30+ out of options guys on the 40-man. Coulombe is a “no” for me and probably Cotton, as well. 

Agreed, too many AAAA relievers on this team alongside Megill and Garza Jr. They can probably sneak them to AAA, might as well do it now.

[stringer bell]

???? Magill? They claimed him and immediately non-tendered him? Is there something I’m missing?

[Vanimal46]

I’m good with this. Minaya and Coulombe don’t have enough upside to warrant a spot on the 40 man. 

[roger]

A bit surprised they didn’t offer three.  Certainly more than I expected.  And kind of crazy one was claimed, what earlier today?

Wondering if they negotiated with all three and weren’t able to get their number?

So they now have three open spots for Rule 5 and/or free agents.  Probably still need one or two more.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

3 hours ago, stringer bell said:

???? Magill? They claimed him and immediately non-tendered him? Is there something I’m missing?

I am a little unclear how this works as well. Apparently somehow there is a loophole that allows them to be moved off the 40 man roster without being passed through waivers which is only available at this time of year?