The Toronto Blue Jays officially resolved all but two of their arbitration cases Friday, reaching agreements on 2018 salaries with seven players, including Josh Donaldson, who obtained a record-setting $23 million deal. Marcus Stroman and Roberto Osuna did not reach deals with the Blue Jays, however, setting up the possibility of hearings with the star pitchers.
Here’s a closer look at how the day unfolded…
RESOLVED CASES (7)
Josh Donaldson
2018 salary: $23 million
2017 salary: $17 million
Under team control through: 2018
MLB Trade Rumors 2018 salary projection: $20.7 million
Donaldson sets a new record for arbitration-eligible players, breaking Bryce Harper’s mark of $21.625 million. He’s now the Blue Jays’ highest-paid player, passing Russell Martin and Troy Tulowitzki who each earn $20 million.
Kevin Pillar
2018 salary: $3.25 million
2017 salary: $555,000
Under team control through: 2020
MLB Trade Rumors 2018 salary projection: $4.0 million
Pillar’s playing time pushed him above $3 million as a first-time eligible player but unfortunately for him arbitration doesn’t take his stellar defence into account much.
Aaron Sanchez
2018 salary: $2.7 million
2017 salary: $535,000
Under team control through: 2020
MLB Trade Rumors 2018 salary projection: $1.9 million
Sanchez beat the MLBTR projection and will earn $2.7 million in his first of three seasons as an arbitration-eligible player.
Ezequiel Carrera
2018 salary: $1.9 million
2017 salary: $1.1625 million
Under team control through: 2019
MLB Trade Rumors 2018 salary projection: $1.9 million
Aaron Loup
2018 salary: $1.8125 million
2017 salary: $1.125 million
Under team control through: 2018
MLB Trade Rumors 2018 salary projection: $1.8 million
Devon Travis
2018 salary: $1.45 million
2017 salary: $545,000
Under team control through: 2020
MLB Trade Rumors 2018 salary projection: $1.7 million
Travis finished the 2017 season on the disabled list, but has produced when healthy, with a .292 average and .331 on-base percentage in 213 career games.
Dominic Leone
2018 salary: $1.085 million
2017 salary: 548,000
Under team control through: 2021
MLB Trade Rumors 2018 salary projection: $1.2 million
Leone’s salary doubles in his first trip through arbitration.
UNRESOLVED CASES (2)
Marcus Stroman
2017 salary: $3.4 million
Under team control through: 2020
MLB Trade Rumors 2018 salary projection: $7.2 million
Stroman exchanged filing numbers with the Blue Jays and a hearing now looks likely barring a multi-year deal given that the Blue Jays have been a file-and-trial team in recent years. The sides went to a hearing last year and Stroman was awarded a $3.4-million salary instead of the $3.1-million salary proposed by the club.
Roberto Osuna
2017 salary: $552,000
Under team control through: 2020
MLB Trade Rumors 2018 salary projection: $5.6 million
Like Stroman, Osuna will likely head for a hearing at which point Alex Colome and Trevor Rosenthal would be among the relevant points of reference.
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