The deadline for teams to submit contracts to arbitration-eligible players is today at 4 pm Central Time. Throughout the day, we’re sure to see a handful of arbitration-eligible players make deals with their clubs to avoid hearings.
These so-called “pre-tender trades” usually (though not always) involve players who are borderline non-tender candidates. They could consider signing before the deadline rather than risk getting fired. These salaries are typically slightly lower than projections because these players tend to have less impact due to uncertainty as to whether they will receive a contract.
Under the collective bargaining agreement for the 2022-26 seasons, players who sign to avoid arbitration hearings will receive full termination benefits. This is different from the previous CBA, where teams could release an arbitration-eligible player before the start of the season and only have to pay a prorated portion of the contract. This is done to incentivize teams and players to complete the deal without attending a hearing.
All salary projections in this article come from MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz. This article will be updated throughout the day as transactions are announced and/or reported.
- this warriors announced signing of infielder Vidal Bruyaninfielder Mauricio Dupontleft handed Joey Wentz and outfielders Eli White 2026 season. Salary figures have not yet been released, but Brujan’s deal was announced as a split contract.
- this brewery announced that they had signed a first baseman Jack Powers Salary figures for 2026 have not been publicly reported.
- this twin Signed right handed Justin Topa One-year deal at $1.225. MLBTR covered this earlier in this article. The Twins declined Topa’s $2MM club option and instead gave him a $225K buyout, but he remains under club control through arb. He will receive $1.45MM between the buyout and next year’s salary. Darren Wolfson of KSTP broke Topa’s 2026 salary.
Photo by William Liang, Image Images
