MLB’s Pre-Arbitration Bonus Pool: Rewarding Rising Stars

As a part of the 2022-2026 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Players Association (MLBPA), a pre-arbitration bonus pool was established to support players who have not achieved Super Two status and have less than three years of Major League service time.

Out of the $50 million allocated for bonuses, $8.75 million is dedicated to award placements, while the remaining $41.25 million is divided among eligible players who finish within the top 100 in Wins Above Replacement (WAR).

This year, a total of 101 players received bonuses based on their performance, as measured by the “Joint WAR” metric and placement in end-of-year awards voting.

According to the Associated Press, within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, only Bobby Miller and James Outman earned bonuses through the pre-arbitration pool program.

James Outman: $580,948

Bobby Miller: $406,035

Outman, serving as the Dodgers’ primary center fielder, displayed an impressive performance with a batting line of.248/.353/.437. He recorded 16 doubles, three triples, 23 home runs, 70 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases in 151 games during the past season. Outman’s average WAR of 3.85 ranked 18th among pre-arbitration-eligible players. The $580,948 in bonuses represents a substantial portion, over 80%, of the $722,500 salary he earned in the 2023 season.

Miller, who made his MLB debut in May, proved to be a valuable asset to the Dodgers’ starting rotation. He achieved an impressive record of 11-4 with a 3.76 ERA, 3.51 FIP, and 1.10 WHIP in 124.1 innings across 22 starts. Additionally, Miller took the mound in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks. With an average WAR of 2.45, his $406,035 in bonuses accounted for more than 79% of his $510,968 salary in the Majors this year.

In the previous year, the Dodgers witnessed players such as Will Smith, Tony Gonsolin, Evan Phillips, Gavin Lux, and Trayce Thompson receive bonuses as part of the pre-arbitration program.

Notably, Julio Rodríguez secured the highest pre-arbitration bonus among all eligible players, earning an impressive $1,865,349. Other notable players, including Corbin Carroll, Adley Rutschman, Spencer Strider, Justin Steele, Kyle Bradish, Félix Bautista, Gunnar Henderson, Jonah Heim, and Tanner Bibee, also received bonuses exceeding $1 million.

The pre-arbitration bonus pool serves as a way to recognize and reward rising stars in the MLB, providing them with financial incentives for their exceptional performances early in their careers. As these talented athletes continue to make their mark on the field, these bonuses act as a testament to their potential and set the stage for their future success in the game.