January 8 was the deadline for MLB teams and arbitration-eligible players to exchange terms on new deals for the 2026 season. Because of its peculiarities, there are two deadlines: one to agree on a new deal and one to exchange figures. Nonetheless, several arbitration-eligible players agree to 2026 contracts.
Notable players to avoid arbitration
Randy Arozarena will walk into his final year with the Mariners on a one-year deal worth $15.6MM. It’ll be Arozarena’s final year of arbitration-eligibility, and fourth overall after he was Super Two-eligible.
Arozarena, who made $11.3MM last season, set career-highs for home runs (27) and runs scored (95, tied from 2023) in his first full season with Seattle. The Mariners acquired him from Tampa Bay in the 2024 campaign.
Daulton Varsho will make $10.75MM for the Blue Jays, per the New York Post. Varsho only had 271 plate appearances last season but made the most of them when healthy. The 29-year-old, in his last year of arbitration eligibility, hit 20 home runs and was a +9 in terms of Outs Above Average.
Phillies pitcher Jesus Luzardo will reportedly make $11MM. Luzardo struck out 216 batters in what was an up-and-down season for him, thanks to struggles at times with at least a runner on base.
Taylor Ward will make $12.175MM for the 2026 season, per FanSided. Ward, who was acquired by the Orioles in November, is also in his last year of arbitration eligibility. He made $7.825MM in 2025, a year in which he belted 36 home runs for the Los Angeles Angels.
Here’s a look at other notables, per reports throughout the league:
- Alec Bohm (Phillies): $10.2MM
- Ernie Clement (Blue Jays): $4.6MM
- Brendan Donovan (Cardinals): $5.8MM
- Camilo Doval (Yankees): $6.1MM
- Jhoan Duran (Twins): $7.5MM
- MacKenzie Gore (Nationals): $5.6MM
- Riley Greene (Tigers): $5MM
- Gunnar Henderson (Orioles): $8.5MM
- George Kirby (Mariners): $6.5MM
- Steven Kwan (Guardians): $7.725MM
- Royce Lewis (Twins): $2.85MM
- Trevor Megill (Brewers): $4.7MM
- Zach Neto (Angels): $4.15MM
- Bailey Ober (Twins): $5.2MM
- Ryan Pepiot (Rays): $3.025MM
- David Peterson (Mets): $8.1MM
- Adley Rutschman (Orioles): $7.25MM
- Justin Steele (Cubs): $6.775MM
- Spencer Steer (Reds): $4MM
- Spencer Torkelson (Tigers): $4.075MM
- Brice Turang (Brewers): $4.15MM
Other notable players who are arbitration-eligible this winter are Logan O’Hoppe $2.625MM), Isaac Paredes, Joe Ryan, Jeremy Pena ($9.75MM), and Tarik Skubal.
Per USA Today, Skubal and the Tigers didn’t come to an agreement and are likely headed towards a hearing. Ryan and Vinnie Pasquantino were among the others who didn’t come to agreements.
It should be noted that this annual deadline doesn’t forbid players from agreeing on new deals for next season, should one not be reached. Teams had until 8 PM ET to exchange salary figures with arbitration-eligible players. However, teams can still negotiate with players to hammer out new deals to avoid an arbitration hearing.
Additionally, other arbitration-eligible players already settled before the 8th. Jarren Duran, for example, came to terms with the Red Sox on a new year in November. Felix Bautista did the same with the O’s.
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