BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pirates reached a deal to avoid arbitration with Chris Stratton before Tuesday’s deadline, but failed to do so with their other arbitration-eligible player, Bryan Reynolds.
Failing to reach a deal does not impact the Pirates’ team control of Reynolds, as this was the first year he was set to go through arbitration. Not reaching a deal means that the Pirates will go through the arbitration process with him, unless they are able to negotiate a multi-year deal.
Once the deadline to exchange figures has passed, the Pirates are a “file and trial” club, meaning the two sides will exchange proposed salaries that will go to an arbitrator. The arbitrator will decide how much Reynolds is paid for the 2022 season.
This is the first of four arbitration-eligible years Reynolds qualifies for since he is Super Two eligible.
Reynolds has been the subject of extension and trade rumors over the past year, though the latter will not come to fruition anytime soon. His appeal as a franchise cornerstone is apparent, which is why a potential extension would make sense. Last year he hit .302 with a .912 OPS, 24 home runs and was worth 6 WAR, all while being nominated for a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in center.
Arbitration can sometimes be an ugly process for players and teams, meaning that if the two sides fail to reach a long-term deal, it could make an extension down the road more difficult.
According to Joel Sherman, Reynolds' proposal is $4.9 million, while the Pirates' is $4.25 million. MLB Trade Rumors projected he would make $4.5 million.
Stratton will receive $2.7 million dollars in his second trip through arbitration, per a source. That is a significant raise from his $1.1 million salary last year.
Last season, Stratton led the team in wins (7) while picking up eight saves and pitching to a 3.63 ERA over 79 ⅓ innings. He has one additional year of team control remaining through arbitration.
Before the lockout, the Pirates signed Kevin Newman to a $1.95 million deal and Ben Gamel to a $1.8 million deal for them to avoid arbitration, and presumably, keep their spot on the 40 man roster. The club waived arbitration-eligible players Colin Moran, Steven Brault and Chad Kuhl shortly before the lockout.