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Outside of the record signing of Mookie Betts, there were plenty of notable deals by teams to avoid arbitration with their players. Here are the most important ones. If you want a whole list, here's The Score's tracker.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers avoided arbitration with superstar OF Cody Bellinger by paying him $11.5 million for the 2020 season. That sets a record for highest salary given to a first year arbitration eligible player. Bellinger hit .305 with 47 homers and 115 RBI in 2019 with the Dodgers in a breakout year. He also took home the NL MVP in 2019.
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The Cleveland Indians avoided arbitration with SS Francisco Lindor by paying him $17.5 million for the 2020 season. Lindor, in his second year of arbitration eligibility, has the second highest salary for a player in that category, trailing only Mookie Betts. Lindor was projected to earn $16.7 million in 2020. Lindor is being mentioned in trade rumors every day, but team president Chris Antonetti believes that Lindor will be on the Indians opening day roster in March. He hit .284 with 32 homers and 22 stolen bases in 2019 for the Indians.
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The Chicago Cubs avoided arbitration with 3B Kris Bryant by paying him $18.6 million for the 2020 season. Bryant has an ongoing service time grievance against the Cubs, which he is reportedly expected to lose, which would put him under team control for the 2021 season in addition to 2020. Bryant, like Lindor, has been rumored in trade rumors every day, but is also likely to remain with the Cubs throughout 2020.
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The Chicago Cubs also avoided arbitration with SS Javier Baez by paying him $10 million for the 2020 season. Baez will still be arbitration eligible in 2021, and will become a free agent after the 2022 season. Baez hit 29 homers in 138 games played. The Cubs have invested over $42 million to avoid arbitration with 6 players. They settled with names such as Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr, and Willson Contreras.
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The Cincinnati Reds avoided arbitration with RHP Trevor Bauer by paying him $17.5 million for the 2020 season. Bauer has gone to arbitration two straight seasons with the Cleveland Indians, the hearing last year was reportedly tense, as Bauer publicly accused the Indians of character assassination. Bauer's salary is the second highest for an arbitration eligible pitcher, trailing only David Price. He will become a free agent after the 2020 season. He posted just an 11-13 record in 2019, with a 4.48 ERA between the Reds and Indians.
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