In an article written by Matt Swartz of Fangraphs, (link at the bottom) he calculates that the average $/WAR estimate for the 2018 season is $11.1 million. What this means is that for every WAR a player is worth, they should theoretically be paid $11.1 million. Today, Josh Donaldson set a record for the highest salary given to a player eligible for arbitration, agreeing to a one-year, $23 million contract to remain with the Blue Jays. Donaldson’s contract beats the record that was set in May by Bryce Harper, who agreed to a one-year, $21.625 extension with the Washington Nationals. Additionally, it should be noted that Kris Bryant also set a record for a contract given to a first-year arbitration eligible player, agreeing with the Cubs to a one-year, $10.5 million contract.
As many teams looked to avoid arbitration with their players ahead of the Friday, 1ET deadline to exchange contract numbers, we will look at some of the contracts signed by arbitration eligible players. From there, we will determine which contracts are the best value for their team by using Swartz’s $/WAR estimate, and comparing it with the actual contracts signed by each player. All WAR totals are from 2017, and are calculated by Fangraphs.
The formula used below to calculate value is as follows: (2017 WAR x 11.1) -2018 Contract
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Addison Russell, Chicago Cubs: $3.2 million. 2017 WAR: 1.4 WAR Value: $12.34 million |
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A.J. Pollock, Arizona Diamondbacks: $7.75 million. 2017 WAR: 2.1 WAR Value: $15.56 million |
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Aaron Hicks, New York Yankees: $2.825 million. 2017 WAR: 3.3 WAR Value: $33.805 million |
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Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays: $2.7 million. 2017 WAR: 0.0 WAR Value: -$11.1 million |
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Alex Colome, Tampa Bay Rays: $5.3 million. 2017 WAR: 1.2 WAR Value: $8.02 million |
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Alex Wood, Los Angeles Dodgers: $6 million. 2017 WAR: 3.4 WAR Value: $31.74 million |
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Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals: $12.3 million. 2017 WAR: 6.9 WAR Value: $64.29 million |
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Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds: $4.6 million. 2017 WAR: 1.2 WAR Value: $8.72 million |
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Brad Brach, Baltimore Orioles: $5.165 million. 2017 WAR: 1.1 WAR Value: $7.045 million |
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Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies: $14 million. 2017 WAR: 6.5 WAR Value: $58.15 million |
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Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians: $10.575 million. 2017 WAR: 1.5 WAR Value: $6.075 million |
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Corey Dickerson, Tampa Bay Rays: $5.95 million. 2017 WAR: 2.6 WAR Value: $22.91 million |
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Corey Knebel, Milwaukee Brewers: $3.65 million. 2017 WAR: 2.8 WAR Value: $27.43 million |
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DJ LeMahieu, Colordo Rockies: $8.5 million. 2017 WAR: 1.8 WAR Value: $11.48 million |
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Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros: $13.2 million. 2017 WAR: 2.5 WAR Value: $14.55 million |
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David Phelps, Seattle Mariners: $5.55 million. 2017 WAR: 0.6 WAR Value: $1.11 million |
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Dellin Betances, New York Yankees: $5.1 million. 2017 WAR: 1.2 WAR Value: $8.22 million |
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Didi Gregorius, New York Yankees: $8.25 million. 2017 WAR: 3.9 WAR Value: $34.65 million |
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Drew Pomeranz, Boston Red Sox: $8.5 million. 2017 WAR: 3.1 WAR Value: $25.91 million |
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Garrett Richards, Los Angeles Angels: $7.3 million. 2017 WAR: 1.0 WAR Value: $3.7 million |
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Gerrit Cole, Pittsburgh Pirates: $6.75 million. 2017 WAR: 3.1 WAR Value: $27.66 million |
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Jackie Bradley, Boston Red Sox: $6.1 million. 2017 WAR: 2.3 WAR Value: $19.43 million |
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Jacob deGrom, New York Mets: $7.4 million. 2017 WAR: 4.4 WAR Value: $41.44 million |
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Jake Lamb, Arizona Diamondbacks: $4.275 million. 2017 WAR: 2.5 WAR Value: $23.475 million |
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James Paxton, Seattle Mariners: $4.9 million. 2017 WAR: 4.6 WAR Value: $46.16 million |
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Jimmy Nelson, Milwaukee Brewers: $3.7 million. 2017 WAR: 4.9 WAR Value: $50.69 million |
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Joe Panik, San Francisco Giants: $3.45 million. 2017 WAR: 2.0 WAR Value: $18.75 million |
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Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox: $13 million. 2017 WAR: 4.1 WAR Value: $32.51 million |
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Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays: $23 million. 2017 WAR: 5.0 WAR Value: $32.5 million |
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Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals: $7.9375 million. 2017 WAR: 0.1 WAR Value: -$6.8275 million |
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Khris Davis, Oakland Athletics: $10.5 million. 2017 WAR: 2.3 WAR Value: $15.03 million |
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Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs: $10.5 million. 2017 WAR: 6.7 WAR Value: $63.87 million |
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Kyle Hendricks, Chicago Cubs: $4.175 million. 2017 WAR: 2.5 WAR Value: $23.575 million |
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Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles: $16 million. 2017 WAR: 2.8 WAR Value: $15.08 million |
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Marcell Ozuna, St. Louis Cardinals: $9 million. 2017 WAR 4.8 WAR Value: $44.28 million |
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Matt Harvey, New York Mets: $5.625 million. 2017 WAR: -0.8 WAR Value: -$14.505 million |
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Mike Zunino, Seattle Mariners: $2.975 million. 2017 WAR: 3.6 WAR Value: $36.985 million |
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Nick Castellanos, Detroit Tigers: $6.06 million. 2017 WAR: 1.7 WAR Value: $18.87 million |
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Noah Syndergaard, New York Mets: $2.975 million. 2017 WAR: 1.4 WAR Value: $12.565 million |
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Patrick Corbin, Arizona Diamondbacks: $7.5 million. 2017 WAR: 3.0 WAR Value: $25.8 million |
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Robbie Ray, Arizona Diamondbacks: $3.95 million. 2017 WAR: 3.2 WAR Value: $31.57 million |
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Shane Greene, Detroit Tigers: $1.95 million. 2017 WAR: 0.6 WAR Value: $4.71 million |
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Sonny Gray, New York Yankees: $6.5 million. 2017 WAR: 2.8 WAR Value: $24.58 million |
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Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox: $7.05 million. 2017 WAR: 3.2 WAR Value: $28.47 million |
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Yasmani Grandal, Los Angeles Dodgers: $7.9 million. 2017 WAR: 2.5 WAR Value: $19.85 million |
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Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles: $12 million. 2017 WAR: 0.6 WAR. Value: -$5.4 million |
Swartz Link: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-recent-history-of-free-agent-pricing/
- TAGS
- arbitration eligible players
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