Yankees sign 9 players to avoid arbitration

The New York Yankees finalized the majority of their arbitration hearings on Friday afternoon. Only Gleyber Torres and Jimmy Cordero remain to be settled, but the Bombers have locked in some of their top talents at an extremely reasonable price point for the 2023 season (Per Spotrac).

Yankees sign nine players to avoid arbitration, locked in for 2023:

1.) Frankie Montas

Montas, 30, signed a $7.5 million deal in his third year of arbitration. He will count 2.91% of the payroll coming off a polarizing 2022 season. Montas was fantastic with the Oakland Athletics, recording a 3.18 ERA, but his performance declined sharply once he joined the Yankees, hosting a 6.35 ERA. Montas was dealing with an injury down the stretch, so the Yankees expect him to bounce back this upcoming campaign.

2.) Jose Treviño

The Yankees and Jose Treviño settled at $2.36 million in the first year of arbitration. Treviño was a phenomenal defensive catcher after being acquired from the Texas Rangers last season. He hit .248 with a .283 OBP, 11 homers, and a career-high 91 wRC+.

3.) Domingo German

The Yankees settled with Domingo Germán at $2.6 million in the second year of arbitration. Germán projects to take on a significant role at the back end of the starting rotation to help supplement fatigue. At 30 years old, Herman posted a 3.61 ERA over 72.1 innings last season. His Steamer projections have him at a 4.25 ERA across 85 innings this upcoming season.

4.) Kyle Higashioka

Kyle Higashioka settled on a $1.46 million deal in the second year of arbitration at 31 years old. Higashioka is a decent backup catcher who provides league-average defense and a bit of pop to his bat on occasion. Ideally, prospect Austin Wells climbs finds his to the MLB in 2023, providing the Yankees with an offensive option at the catcher position.

5.) Michael King

At 28 years old, bullpen arm Michael King is coming off a season-ending injury. He settled for a $1.3 million deal but was in the middle of an unbelievable campaign before shutting things down. He earned a 2.29 ERA across 51 innings, making 34 appearances.

6.) Jonathan Loaisiga

Jonathan Loáisiga projects to have a big role in 2023, settling at $2.26 million in his second year of arbitration. Loáisiga finished with a 4.13 ERA across 48 innings last season, but he should get back to his usual self this upcoming year as long as he can stay healthy.

7.) Wandy Peralta

One of the Yankees’ more underrated bullpen arms, Wandy Peralta, settled at $3.35 million in the fourth year of arbitration. Peralta is the team’s top lefty relief pitcher, with Aroldis Chapman hitting the free agent market. At 31 years old, he recorded a career-best 2.72 ERA last season across 56.1 innings.

8.) Nestor Cortes

Nestor Cortés and the Yanks settled at $3.2 million in his first years of arbitration at 28 years old. Cortes enjoyed his best season as a professional last year, recording a 2.44 ERA across 158.1 innings. He has become a prominent piece in the Yankees’ rotation and projects to have another solid campaign.

9.) Clay Holmes

Star closer Clay Holmes earned himself $3.3 million in his second year of arbitration. Coming off his best season yet, Holmes is a key cog in the Yankees’ bullpen, but the team needs to make sure he maintains his health down the stretch as over usage caught up to him late in the season.