The Los Angeles Dodgers tendered contracts to Pedro Baez, Cody Bellinger, Kiké Hernandez, Max Muncy, Joc Pederson, Corey Seager, Ross Stripling, Chris Taylor and Julio Urias ahead of Monday’s 5 p.m. PT deadline to do so for arbitration-eligible players.
Scott Alexander was also among the group of players who were eligible for salary arbitration, but he reportedly re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $875,000 contract. So too was Austin Barnes, and he also agreed to a one-year contract.
L.A. additionally non-tendered just one player in Yimi Garcia, who becomes the latest relief pitcher to hit the open market. In parts of five seasons with the organization, he posted a 3.66 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 166 strikeouts across 159.2 innings.
The Dodgers are now permitted to negotiate contracts with each of the aforementioned players. Salary figures will only be exchanged in January should both sides fail to come to terms on a new deal.
Arbitration hearings would then be held in February. The sides are allowed to continue contract talks after exchanging figures.
RHP Yimi Garcia was non-tendered.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) December 3, 2019
It’s worth noting that Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman hasn’t gone to arbitration at any point in his tenure. The club’s last arbitration hearing was in 2007 with Joe Beimel.
Of the 10 players tendered a contract, Bellinger is projected to earn the most in the wake of a historic 2019 season that culminated with National League MVP honors. Pederson, who hit a career-high 36 home runs this year, is also expected to receive a hefty raise.
Seager enjoyed a solid bounce-back season after being limited to just 26 games a year ago. He hit .272/.335/.483 with an NL-leading 44 doubles, 19 home runs and 87 RBI in 541 plate appearances.
Muncy similarly thrived at the dish, matching or setting career-highs in numerous categories including doubles (22), home runs (35), RBI (98) and walks (90).
Despite getting off to a slow start in April, Taylor additionally put forth a solid 2019 campaign, posting a .794 on-base plus slugging with 45 extra-base hits over 414 plate appearances.
Hernandez saw time at seven different positions for the Dodgers in 2019, batting .237 with 19 doubles, 17 home runs and a career-best 64 RBI across 460 trips to the plate.
Baez was a key contributor in the backend of the bullpen, compiling a 7-2 record, 3.10 ERA, 3.52 FIP and 0.95 WHIP with 69 strikeouts against 23 walks over 69.2 innings.
Stripling received plenty of opportunities as both a starter and reliever during the 2019 season, pitching to a 3.47 ERA, 3.47 FIP and 1.15 WHIP in 32 games.
Urias was utilized in a similar role, making eight starts and 29 appearances out of the bullpen. He posted a 2.49 ERA, 3.43 FIP and 1.08 WHIP with 85 strikeouts in 79.2 innings of work.
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