2019/2020 Arbitration Decisions

[long ball]

I know this gets touched on here and there in other threads, but given the number of arbitration decisions I think a thread is warranted. Every year MLB-TR publishes their arbitration projections. It's just been posted for this year: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/mlb-arbitration-salaries-2020.html

 

So what would you like to see the Brewers do with these players using these salary projections as a guideline? December 2 is the non-tender deadline.

 

Chase Anderson – $10.3MM – club option for $8.5MM

Jimmy Nelson – $3.7MM

Hernan Perez – $3.0MM

Corey Knebel – $5.125MM

Alex Claudio – $2.2MM

Travis Shaw – $4.7MM

Manny Pina – $2.2MM – club option for $1.85MM with a $150K buyout

Cory Spangenberg – $1.5MM

Zach Davies – $5.0MM

Junior Guerra – $3.5MM

Tyler Saladino – $1.0MM

Orlando Arcia – $2.7MM

Ben Gamel – $1.6MM

Brent Suter – $900K

Tyler Austin – $1.2MM

[long ball]

I'd break it down into a few different buckets:

 

No-brainer tender:

Knebel

Davies

Guerra

Suter

 

No-brainer non-tender:

Saladino

Perez

 

Club options:

Anderson- probably decline option and non-tender

Pina- definitely exercise club option

 

Lean toward tender:

Nelson

Shaw- if the moose mutual option is exercised by both sides I'd work toward trading shaw before the non-tender deadline or move him to the non-tender bucket

Gamel- decent back up outfielder, still has an option so keep him around.

Arcia

 

Lean toward non-tender:

Claudio (3 batter minimum being biggest deterrent, but he does have an option)

Spangenberg (if he still has an option I'd move him to the lean toward tender bucket)

Austin

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Chase Anderson – $10.3MM – club option for $8.5MM - Probably the biggest mystery. He was very solid this year, and has been throughout the length of his deal. I just don't know. i guess I'd lean toward taking the the option.

Jimmy Nelson – $3.7MM - No brainer tender. Bringing him back for spring training, and if he gets hurt or doesn't show improvement in his command, you say goodbye.

Hernan Perez – $3.0MM - I'd non-tender him, but I have a feeling he will be brought back.

Corey Knebel – $5.125MM - No-brainer that he's back. TJ is relatively easy to make a full recovery from in a year. Might not be the back-to-back game guy he was.

Alex Claudio – $2.2MM - I think they tender him and bring him back. They'll find a way to continue using him effectively.

Travis Shaw – $4.7MM - I dunno. Complete mystery. I would hope for a rebound, though.

Manny Pina – $2.2MM – club option for $1.85MM with a $150K buyout No brainer that he'll be back.

Cory Spangenberg – $1.5MM - This is pretty cheap for a solid vet. If he isn't a platoon starter, he'll be the backup C again.

Zach Davies – $5.0MM - He should be back. Solid starter who is underappreciated.

Junior Guerra – $3.5MM - No doubt he's back at this price.

Tyler Saladino – $1.0MM - Only way he's back is if they cut bait on Arcia.

Orlando Arcia – $2.7MM - I think he's back.

Ben Gamel – $1.6MM - Yep ... back as a #4/5 OF. Performed just fine in that role.

Brent Suter – $900K - Back without a doubt. The question is whether he is brought back as a starter or in the pen.

Tyler Austin – $1.2MM - Maybe. Depends on what they do as a platoon mate for Thames.

[Outlander]

Chase Anderson – $10.3MM – club option for $8.5MM Pick up option but keep trade options open

Jimmy Nelson – $3.7MM Non Tender

Hernan Perez – $3.0MM Non Tender

Corey Knebel – $5.125MM Tender

Alex Claudio – $2.2MM Tender

Travis Shaw – $4.7MM Non Tender

Manny Pina – $2.2MM – club option for $1.85MM with a $150K buyout Pick up option

Cory Spangenberg – $1.5MM Tender but believes he gets more since it is his second year of arbitration

Zach Davies – $5.0MM Tender

Junior Guerra – $3.5MM Tender

Tyler Saladino – $1.0MM Non Tender as he is out of options

Orlando Arcia – $2.7MM Tender

Ben Gamel – $1.6MM Tender

Brent Suter – $900K Tender but he gets more

Tyler Austin – $1.2M Non Tender

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Chase Anderson – $10.3MM – club option for $8.5MM Pick up option but keep trade options open

Jimmy Nelson – $3.7MM Non Tender

Hernan Perez – $3.0MM Non Tender

Corey Knebel – $5.125MM Tender

Alex Claudio – $2.2MM Tender

Travis Shaw – $4.7MM Non Tender

Manny Pina – $2.2MM – club option for $1.85MM with a $150K buyout Pick up option

Cory Spangenberg – $1.5MM Tender but believes he gets more since it is his second year of arbitration

Zach Davies – $5.0MM Tender

Junior Guerra – $3.5MM Tender

Tyler Saladino – $1.0MM Non Tender as he is out of options

Orlando Arcia – $2.7MM Tender

Ben Gamel – $1.6MM Tender

Brent Suter – $900K Tender but he gets more

Tyler Austin – $1.2M Non Tender

 

Have the Brewers ever non-tendered that many arb-eligible players? I could see non-tenders of Perez, Shaw, Saladino and Austin if they feel they have better or cheaper options, but i have a hard time seeing them give up on Nelson without even bring him back to spring training in 2020.

[Outlander]

Maybe not but all of those guys joined/rejoined the team late August or into September. They were not one of the top 25 guys on this year's team so might as well trim the fat and payroll and not make them a top 26 guy on the 2020 team. Could even see Spangenberg nontendered if they try to upgrade SS and make Arcia more of the utility guy.

[wntrtxn21]

Anderson-- look for a trading partner or NON-tender. Too much for a 4 inning guy. Put the $8.5 towards a SS or another starter

Nelson-- he's already making $3.7M from what I see, so the price would be a bit higher. He showed enough to bring back at about $4M.

Perez-- NON-tender. Let him look, but there were no takers last year at a lesser price so I don't see much interest in him. Bring him back at $1M or so. Possible minor lg. deal too.

Knebel-- already making the $5.125 so it will be interesting what he gets. Definate tender.

Claudio-- very iffy. With the new 3 batter rule it makes him a lot less effective. It probably depends on Stearns re-signing Pomeranz. If Pomeranz re-signs, then NON-tender.

Shaw-- look to trade him for anything. Again depends on re-signing Moose. If Moose re-signs, then a definate NON-tender if they can't trade him.

Pina, Spangenberg, Davies, Guerra--- Tender them all.

Saladino-- bye-bye

Arcia--tender, but look for his replacement and use in a trade.

Gamel-- depends on how they feel about Grisham and on the new rule about how many pitchers can be on the 26 man roster. It could go either way.

Austin--NON-tender. Guys like him are a-dime-a-dozen and can be easily aquired at a low price.

Suter-- a no-brainer, but he may get $1M+....