MLB Players Agree to Contracts, Avoiding Arbitration
As the 2026 baseball season approaches, several major league players have agreed to one-year contracts, avoiding the arbitration process. Brusdar Graterol, Braxton Garrett, and Hayden Wesneski are among the players who have reached agreements with their respective teams. According to reports, Graterol will earn $2.8 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers, while Garrett will receive $1.53 million from the Miami Marlins, and Wesneski will get $975,000 from the Houston Astros.
Graterol, a 27-year-old right-hander, missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder, which required surgery in November 2024. Despite his injury, Graterol has a promising career record of 11-9 with a 2.78 ERA and 11 saves. His new contract with the Dodgers reflects his potential, as he will earn the same salary he received in 2025. Graterol’s journey back to the mound will be closely watched, as he aims to regain his form and contribute to the Dodgers’ success.
Other Players Avoid Arbitration
Garrett, a 28-year-old left-hander, also received a salary identical to his 2025 earnings, despite missing the 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery in December 2024. Wesneski, another right-hander, was eligible for arbitration for the first time and agreed to a $975,000 contract with the Astros. These agreements demonstrate the teams’ confidence in their players’ abilities, despite the challenges posed by injuries.
Tarik Skubal, a Detroit left-hander, and Randy Arozarena, a Seattle outfielder, are among the notable players who are still set to exchange proposed salaries with their teams. Skubal, the recipient of two consecutive AL Cy Young Awards, and Arozarena, a talented outfielder, are both eligible for arbitration for the final time before becoming free agents after the 2026 World Series. Other prominent players, including Jazz Chisholm Jr., William Contreras, Logan Gilbert, Jesus Luzardo, Brady Singer, Daulton Varsho, and Taylor Ward, are also part of the arbitration group.
Upcoming Arbitration Hearings
With over 100 players likely to reach agreements, the arbitration process is expected to be busy. Hearings for players who don’t reach deals will be scheduled from January 26 to February 13 in Scottsdale, Arizona. As the season approaches, these negotiations will play a crucial role in shaping the teams’ rosters and determining the players’ salaries. Fans and analysts will be watching closely, as the outcomes of these negotiations can significantly impact the teams’ performances in the upcoming season.
The agreements reached by Graterol, Garrett, and Wesneski demonstrate the complexities of the arbitration process and the importance of finding mutually beneficial solutions. As the baseball world prepares for the new season, these developments will be closely monitored, and their impact on the teams’ success will be eagerly anticipated. With the 2026 season just around the corner, the stage is set for an exciting year of baseball, filled with talented players, intense competition, and unexpected twists.
