5 eligible for arbitration receive contract offers

Ahead of Major League Baseball’s 8 p.m. deadline, the Marlins have extended contract tenders to all five of its arbitration-eligible players — J.T. Realmuto, Dan Straily, Jose Urena, Miguel Rojas and Adam Conley.

The decision to tender those five was essentially a formality. Tendering means the team agrees to give a contract for the upcoming season to a player under club control. The two sides then attempt to work out a salary figure for next season. If they’re unable to do so, each side submits a contract number and a three-person arbitration panel will choose among the two.

Straily, who earned $3.38 million last season, was the only potential question mark of the group. The 29-year-old starter dealt with a handful of injuries last season, but was productive when healthy. Miami has seven pitchers returning who should figure into the starting rotation — Urena, Sandy Alcantara, Trevor Richards, Pablo Lopez, Wei-Yin Chen and Caleb Smith, who’s recovering from a shoulder injury.

Realmuto has the target of heavy trade speculation this offseason. The All-Star catcher’s agent, Jeff Berry, told MLB Network last month that Realmuto

would not be signing an extension with the Marlins. The 27-year-old still has two years left on his contract.

After an uneven start, Urena was one of the NL’s top pitchers in the final month of the season. In five September starts, the 27-year-old went 5-0 with a 1.20 ERA. For the season, the right-hander finished 9-12 with a 3.98 ERA.

One of the team’s most versatile players, Rojas played every infield position except catcher this past season, focusing at shortstop. The 29-year-old, who platooned with JT Riddle at short, hit .252/.307./.337 with 11 home runs and 53 RBI.

Out of the bullpen, Conley was the team’s top lefty arm. The 6-foot-3 pitcher, who could figure into the closer role next year, finished 3-4 with a 4.09 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and three saves. Holaday returning to Marlins: After being outrighted in October, catcher Bryan Holaday has agreed to a minor league contract with Miami. Holaday served as the team’s backup catcher last season, appearing in 61 games. The 31-year-old hit .205 with one home run and 16 RBI. Behind the plate, Holaday threw out 45% of base runners.

SUN SENTINEL Miami Marlins catcher Bryan Holaday hits the ball to right field against the Washington Nationals in the fourth inning of a game July 28 at Marlins Park.