Richer paydays in store for 5 who OK deals
The Marlins on Friday reached agreements about salaries with all five of their arbitration-eligible players, avoiding a potentially drawn-out process leading up to spring training.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto, infielder Miguel Rojas, right-handers Jose Urena and Dan Straily and reliever Adam Conley will all receive pay bumps after agreeing to terms.
All major-league teams had a 1 p.m. ET deadline to reach settlements with their arbitration-eligible players. If a player and team were unable to come to an agreement, an arbitration panel would determine before spring training the player’s salary for the upcoming season.
According to MLB.com, Realmuto will make $5.9 million next year, while Straily ($5 million), Urena ($3.2 million), Rojas ($3.155 million) and Conley ($1.125 million) will also get raises.
The subject of seemingly never-ending trade rumors, Realmuto’s future is still uncertain. The AllStar catcher has two years left on his deal with the Marlins, but his agent, Jeff Berry, has publicly stated Realmuto won’t sign an extension with Miami. The team has listened to trade offers for the 27-year-old, but no deals have come to fruition.
Realmuto, who made $2.9 million last season, is coming off his best season, posting a stat line of .277/.340/.484 with 30 doubles, a career-high 21 home runs and 74 RBI in 125 games.
Straily will add $1.62 million to his salary next season. The 29-year-old starter dealt with a handful of injuries last season but was productive when healthy. The right-hander made 23 starts, finishing 5-6 with a 4.12 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 122 1⁄3 innings.
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. The righthander 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 but focused on shortstop. The 29-year-old, who platooned with JT Riddle at short, had a .252/.307./.337 stat line 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.