Even if the Red Sox are largely staying out of the free agent frenzy that has dominated baseball in recent days, they still have business to take care of Tuesday night. 8 p.m. ET represents the deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players -- or non-tender them, making them free agents immediately.
Unlike in previous years, the Sox don’t have many tough decisions to make before 8 p.m. Almost all of their arbitration-eligible players are no-brainers to be retained, especially at their projected salaries for 2022. Yes, a surprise move could happen... but it’s unlikely. Here’s a primer on what to expect by the end of the day.
Which players are arbitration-eligible?
The Red Sox have nine arbitration-eligible players. Here they are, along with their projected 2022 salaries (according to MLBTradeRumors.com).
* 3B Rafael Devers -- $11.1M
* OF Hunter Renfroe -- $7.6M
* RHP Nick Pivetta -- $3.2M
* OF Alex Verdugo -- $3.2M
* C Kevin Plawecki -- $2M
* RHP Ryan Brasier -- $1.4M
* 2B Christian Arroyo -- $1.1M
* LHP Josh Taylor -- $1.1M
* OF Tim Locastro -- $700k
Of that group, there are some absolute no-brainers (Devers, Pivetta, Verdugo and Taylor) as well as some guys who are very likely to be tendered (Brasier, Renfroe, Plawecki and Arroyo). Theoretically, the Sox could surprise everyone by cutting bait with one of those final four players if they have a cheaper option lined up elsewhere, but that seems unlikely at this point. Renfroe might be a trade candidate, especially if the Red Sox want to upgrade their outfield and capitalize on a strong season. But they’d still be able to trade him after Tuesday, even if they do tender a contract.
Locastro, who was claimed off waivers from the Yankees in November, might be non-tendered. Obviously, his $700k projection isn’t going to break the bank, but Boston could look to either bring him back on a cheaper deal or move on and open up a 40-man roster spot.
It’s important to note that surprises happen every year at this deadline, so they’re always possible -- but unlikely with this group of players.
Could anyone else be non-tendered?
All of Boston’s pre-arbitration-eligible players can be non-tendered, too. There aren’t really any good candidates for that scenario considering how cheap those guys come. Of everyone on the 40-man roster, infielder Jonathan Araúz and reliever Phillips Valdez could make some sense as non-tenders, but it would be a surprise to see either one cut.
What’s the next step for tendered players?
Any arbitration-eligible player who is tendered a contract remains under team control, but still has to negotiate a salary for 2022. The Sox will try to hammer out deals with all of those guys at different times -- including before the tender deadline, meaning its possible some agreements could be reached Tuesday. If no agreement is reached by a certain date, the team and player must go to arbitration and have the salary determined by a third party.
A decision to tender a player has little bearing on his long-term status with the team. That’s particularly important in the case of Devers, who is a prime candidate for a long-term extension. As MassLive reported Monday, the Sox and Devers have made zero progress toward an extension since the end of the season. The sides would not be able to talk during a work stoppage but are expected to chat once things are settled (likely in spring training).
Why does this deadline matter to the Red Sox?
The Red Sox don’t have any obvious non-tender candidates, but other teams do. On MLB.com’s list of potential non-tenders, there are a ton of notable names, including Tampa Bay’s Ryan Yarbrough, Detroit’s Matthew Boyd, the Yankees’ Luke Voit, Minnesota’s Taylor Rogers, Atlanta’s Sean Newcomb, Cincinnati’s Amir Garrett and others. Others, like Colorado’s Daniel Bard, the Yankees’ Gary Sanchez and Atlanta’s Adam Duvall, could hit the market, too -- flooding free agency with even more players in need of contracts.
Look for the Red Sox to be in on some non-tendered players, just like they were last year when they swooped to sign Renfroe and right-hander Matt Andriese. With the prospect of a work stoppage looming in just over 24 hours, it’s possible that a bunch of those types will be looking for new deals in short order, and the Red Sox should be involved.
Related links:
Boston Red Sox, Rafael Devers haven’t made any progress on contract extension since end of season
Boston Red Sox unlikely to sign free agent Chris Taylor, who may sign by Wednesday’s CBA deadline
Boston Red Sox to sign starting pitcher Michael Wacha pending physical (report)
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