Blue Jays, Astros Avoid Arbitration with Key Players

NEW YORK — The Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros avoided salary arbitration hearings with several key players, including first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and left-hander Framber Valdez, sources told ESPN on Thursday. Guerrero agreed to a one-year, $28.5 million contract, while Valdez secured an $18 million deal for the 2025 season.

Guerrero, the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, set a record last year with a $19.9 million arbitration decision, surpassing the Blue Jays’ $18.05 million offer. Valdez, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, will earn $10.15 million, more than triple his previous salary. Both players are eligible for free agency after the World Series.

The Blue Jays also reached agreements with outfielder Daulton Varsho ($8.2 million) and catcher Danny Jansen ($4.6 million). Meanwhile, the Astros finalized deals with new third baseman Alex Bregman ($6.625 million) and shortstop Jeremy Peña ($4.1 million).

Of the 155 players eligible for arbitration, a majority reached agreements before the deadline. However, 17 players, including star right fielder Kyle Tucker, failed to settle. Tucker, acquired by the Chicago Cubs in a trade, filed for $17.5 million, while the Cubs countered at $15 million. Other notable players without agreements include first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, who filed for $11.1 million against the Washington Nationals‘ $10.3 million offer.

Arbitration hearings are scheduled from Jan. 27 through Feb. 14 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Players went 9-6 in hearings last winter, marking the first time since 2019 that they had a winning record. Teams historically hold a 353-266 advantage since arbitration began in 1974.

All arbitration-eligible agreements are guaranteed, but deals decided by panels are not. Last year, San Francisco third baseman J.D. Davis and New York Mets right-hander Phil Bickford were released after winning their cases, receiving termination pay instead of their arbitration salaries.

ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, The Associated Press, and Field Level Media contributed to this report.