Morning Briefing: DeGrom Sets Another Record

Good Morning Mets Fans!!

Yesterday at 1 PM was the deadline to exchange arbitration numbers between the players and their teams. These negotiations determine a player’s 2019 salary. Craig Calcaterra of NBCSports thinks that all, if the not the majority, of teams will employ a file-and-trial approach, a strategy that’s become increasingly popular throughout the years.

Mets Arbitration News

The Mets came to terms with all of their arb-eligible players.

Reigning Cy Young Award Winner Jacob deGrom was the significant benefactor of the arbitration system. His 2019 salary will be $17 million, a huge raise over his 2017 pay of $7.4 million. His $9.6 million raise is the most ever for a player going through arbitration for the third time.

Here are the other Mets players who avoided arbitration:

Noah Syndergaard resigned with the Mets for $6 million.
Steven Matz got $2.625 million from the Mets.
Michael Conforto signed a $4.025 million contract.
Zack Wheeler received $5.975 million.
Yesterday, it was reported that Travis d’Arnaud agreed to a $3.5 million deal.

In Other Mets News

Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com praised Ryley Gilliam for having the best fastball in the Mets system.

The Brewers signed former Met Burch Smith to a minor-league deal.

Jay Jaffe of Fangraphs is confused about the Mets’ signing of Jed Lowrie.

Mike Puma of The New York Post isn’t a fan of the Mets new hitting coach Chili Davis.

Latest News in the MLB

Mookie Betts (a.k.a Moose Betts) set a new record with his 2019 salary of $20 million. His settlement completely demolished the record for those were eligible for arbitration for the second time.

The Yankees inked infielder DJ LeMahieu to a two-year, $24 million deal.

Maury Brown of Forbes can’t believe that even though MLB revenue is skyrocketing, teams aren’t spending the excess money on their players.

Jeff Passan of ESPN looks how the arbitration system has affected players and teams’ relationships.

The Astros announced that Alex Bregman underwent arthroscopic surgery in his right elbow and should be ready for the regular season.

The Dodgers made a rather significant deal as they acquired catcher Russell Martin from the Blue Jays in exchange for cash and two minor leaguers. This move looks like the Dodgers are pivoting away from J.T. Realmuto.

Notable Players Who Avoided Arbitration:

Twins CF Byron Buxton ($1.75 million)
Twins RHP Jake Odorizzi ($9.5 million)
Red Sox C Blake Swihart ($910,000)
Red Sox IF Xander Bogaerts ($12 million)
Reds IF Scooter Gennett ($9.775 million)
Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray ($6.05 million)
Cubs P Kyle Hendricks ($7.405 million)
Cubs OF Kyle Schwarber ($3.39 million)
Yankees OF Aaron Hicks ($6 million)
Athletics DH/OF Khris Davis ($16.5 million)
Indians RHP Danny Salazar ($4.5 million)
Indians IF Francisco Lindor (10.55 million)
Blue Jays RHP Ken Giles ($6.3 million)
White Sox IF Jose Abreu ($16 million)
Cubs IF Javy Baez ($5.2 million)

Addison Russell, who is in the middle of a domestic violence investigation, and the Cubs agreed to a 3.4 million dollar deal that has 600k dollars worth of incentives that he can earn if stays on the roster for 150 days.

The full list of players that agreed to terms with their respective teams can be found here.

Some notable players that didn’t agree to terms with their teams and are expected to go to an arbitration hearing include Phillies’ ace Aaron Nola, Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado and Yankees starter Luis Severino.