The MLB off-season is full of potential moves, whether those moves are free agency, option years, arbitration eligible players, or non-tender candidates. Earlier this week I looked at 14 of the biggest questions for the Pirates this off-season, which detailed a lot of the potential transactions. Below is a list of players who are eligible for off-season transactions, along with some important dates for those transactions.
Pending Free Agents
5th Day After the World Series – MLB Players become eligible for free agency
Russell Martin
Francisco Liriano
Edinson Volquez
Clint Barmes
The Pirates will go after Russell Martin, although it might be difficult to bring him back. I don’t know if they will pursue Liriano, but I do think they should give him a qualifying offer. I also wouldn’t rule out Volquez or Barmes for returns.
Arbitration Eligible
December 2nd – Deadline to tender arbitration
Neil Walker – 3rd out of 4 years
Ike Davis – 3rd out of 4 years
John Axford** – 3rd out of 4 years
Gaby Sanchez – 3rd out of 3 years
Pedro Alvarez – 2nd out of 3 years
Travis Snider – 2nd out of 3 years
Mark Melancon – 2nd out of 3 years
Chris Stewart – 2nd out of 3 years
Tony Watson – 1st out of 3 years
Josh Harrison – 1st out of 3 years
Jeanmar Gomez** – 1st out of 3 years
Vance Worley* – 1st out of 4 years
Jared Hughes* – 1st out of 4 years
*Likely Super Two Eligible
**Non-Tender Candidate
The Pirates have a lot of arbitration eligible players this year. I was conservative with the non-tender estimates. I only went with Axford and Gomez, mostly because they both had issues this year, and were both left off the Wild Card roster. I don’t think the Pirates will keep both Pedro Alvarez and Ike Davis, although I don’t think they’d non-tender either player, since one of them could be traded. Gaby Sanchez is an interesting situation, since he’s now getting a bit on the expensive side for a right-hander in a platoon. I think Chris Stewart’s situation will largely depend on what happens with Russell Martin.
Beyond that, there are some interesting arbitration cases, such as the first year for Josh Harrison, the price for Travis Snider after what could have been a mini-breakout in the second half, and what Neil Walker will receive coming off a career year offensively, with declining defense.
Under Contract
Andrew McCutchen – $10,000,000
Charlie Morton – $8,000,000
Jose Tabata – $4,000,000
Starling Marte – $1,000,000
Out of Options
Charlie Morton
Pedro Alvarez
Ike Davis
Mark Melancon
Travis Snider
Chris Stewart
Vance Worley
Jared Hughes
Stolmy Pimentel
Jeanmar Gomez
John Axford
Brent Morel
Chaz Roe
The lack of options could impact the roster chances for Stolmy Pimentel, Jeanmar Gomez, John Axford, Brent Morel, and Chaz Roe. I think the others will make the Opening Day roster, despite their lack of options.