The Marlins were unable to reach a 2024 salary agreement with two-time hitting champion Luis Arez, center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and closer Tanner Scott before Thursday’s arbitration deadline.
Since the parties could not agree, the two will have to submit a salary figure and a hearing will be scheduled between January 29 and February 16. A panel of arbitrators will hear arguments from each side and select one of the two individuals as the player’s salary for the upcoming season with no intermediate terms, although players and teams may continue negotiations until the date of the hearing.
Miami signed eight of its other arbitration-eligible players, including Venezuelan left-hander Jesus Luzardo. According to Marc Feinsend of MLB.com, Luzardo’s deal is worth $5.5 million. Left-handers Trevor Rogers, AJ Pook and Steven Ockert ($1.0625 million, according to one source), right-handers Anthony Bender and JT Chargois, Dominican outfielder Jesus Sanchez and Panamanian catcher Christian Bethancourt will also avoid hearings.
Arez, who is coming off his second straight batting title, won his arbitration case last February after being traded from Minnesota to Miami. The Twins submitted an offer of $5 million, while he requested $6.1 million. In November, the 26-year-old Arrez indicated his willingness to enter talks with Miami regarding a potential extension.
According to Cote’s baseball contracts, Arez can earn $11 million in the second year of his arbitration eligibility.
Chisholm, who turns 26 on Feb. 1, was selected as the National League’s starting second baseman for the 2022 All-Star Game, but has been hampered by injuries since 2021. Despite playing center field for the first time and appearing in only 97 games. , he had just one more home run than 20-20 in 2023. Chisholm makes $749,500 in 2023, and could earn $2.2 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility, according to Cote.
The 29-year-old Scott, tied for the most fWAR among MLB relievers, posted career highs in 2023 in categories such as innings, BB/9 rate and WHIP. Scott, who is in his final year of arbitration, had a salary of US$2.825 million. Estimated to earn US$6 million in 2023 and 2024.
Luzardo, who won his arbitration case against the Marlins last February to receive $2.45 million, had the eighth-highest FWAR among qualifying NL pitchers in 2023. He has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason.
