What does arbitration mean for Luis Arraez and the Twins?

The Minnesota Twins shelled out a ton of cash to maintain Carlos Correa, Emilio Pagan and even Chris Paddack this week, however on the subject of the way forward for Luis Arraez it is a delicate state of affairs.

With over three years of MLB service time, Arraez is eligible for arbitration for the primary time. Whereas groups often attempt to strike a one-year deal to keep away from going to an arbitrator, the Twins had been unable to take action previous to Friday’s deadline, prompting each side to alternate figures on a 2023 wage.

According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, Arraez filed for a wage of $6.1 million. To the credit score of Arraez and his agent Scott Boras, the quantity is smart. Set to show 26 on April 9, Arraez received his first batting title and made his first All-Star sport final season and was instrumental to Minnesota’s success previous to a late-season slide.

The Twins did not see it that manner, providing Arraez a wage of $5 million.

Earlier than you scream on the entrance workplace, think about that MLB Commerce Rumors projected Arraez to earn $5 million in arbitration. The Athletic’s Dan Hayes also reports that the $6.1 million wage “was by no means near taking place,” resulting in the choice to move to arbitration.

The Twins’ stance can be validated as a result of pop-up nature of Arraez’s season. Whereas his .316 common was on par together with his .314 profession common, Arraez hit eight residence runs after hitting six in his first three seasons within the majors and 6 residence runs in seven main league seasons.

Even when Arraez has new-found energy on the plate, his worth as a high-average hitter may go down with the elimination of the shift. If the common goes up throughout baseball, Arraez’s worth may very well be altered, which impacts his wage.

Exterior of how a lot Arraez will get paid, the choice to go to arbitration might impact the Twins’ offseason plans. Hayes reported earlier this offseason that the Twins have been open to buying and selling Arraez if there’s an opportunity to amass pitching, however with no wage quantity, groups would not know what they’re buying.

Which means that the Twins will not be capable of commerce Arraez till February on the earliest, forcing the Twins to probably look to different belongings to facilitate a deal.

In the long run, Arraez’s state of affairs is a messy one with the Twins making an attempt to show that Arraez is lower than what he is value and Arraez making an attempt to money in earlier than he is eligible totally free company in 2026.

The state of affairs might additionally have an effect if the 2 sides try to work out a long-term settlement down the highway, however the Twins have already got a constructive relationship with Boras after Correa’s free company saga.

Both manner, each side will play the ready sport and will probably be attention-grabbing to see if Arraez cashes in.