NEW YORK — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays avoided a salary arbitration hearing when the first baseman agreed Thursday to a $28.5 million, one-year contract on the day players and teams exchanged proposed figures.
Houston lefthander Framber Valdez also was among 148 players reaching deals, getting an $18 million, one-year contract.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker asked for the highest amount among 17 players who swapped figures at $17.5 million. He was offered $15 million.
Washington first baseman Nathaniel Lowe asked for $11.1 million and was offered $10.3 million, and San Diego righthander Michael King requested $8.8 million and was offered $7,325,000.
Guerrero and Valdez can become free agents after the World Series. Guerrero, a son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, won a $19.9 million salary last year in a record high for an arbitration decision when a panel picked his figure rather than the Blue Jays’ $18.05 million offer.
Juan Soto set a record for an arbitration-eligible player when he agreed last year to a $31 million deal with the Yankees, topping Shohei Ohtani’s $30 million 2023 contract with the Angels. Soto became a free agent in November and signed a record $765 million, 15-year contract with the New York Mets.
Among those who agreed to deals were San Diego infielder Luis Arraez ($14 million) and righthander Dylan Cease ($13.75 million), Arizona righthander Zac Gallen ($13.5 million) and first baseman Josh Naylor ($10.9 million), Seattle outfielder Randy Arozarena ($11.3 million), and Detroit lefthander Tarik Skubal ($10.15 million). Arraez lost his hearing last year and earned $10.6 million.
Also agreeing were Philadelphia lefthander Ranger Suárez ($8.8 million), Cincinnati righthander Brady Singer ($8.75 million), Baltimore outfielder Cedric Mullins ($8,725,000), Yankees closer Devin Williams ($8.6 million), St. Louis closer Ryan Helsley ($8.2 million), Toronto outfielder Daulton Varsho ($8.2 million), and Milwaukee righthander Aaron Civale ($2 million).
For players failing to reach agreements, hearings will be scheduled before three-person panels from Jan. 27 through Feb. 14 at St. Petersburg, Fla.
Players went 9-6 in hearings last winter, and lead teams with a 353-266 advantage since arbitration started in 1974.
All agreements for arbitration-eligible players are guaranteed but deals that go to panel decisions are not. San Francisco third baseman J.D. Davis and Mets righthander Phil Bickford were released after winning their cases last year.
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