Miami Marlins 2023 arbitration class

Today MLBTR released a list of projected arbitration salaries for the 2023 Miami Marlins. Let’s look at the list and see who will be non-tendered and who will be tendered a contract. Our class is pretty big with 12 players totaling an estimated $35.6 million. That’s a pretty hefty sum, so it’s doubtless that some players will be non-tendered, if only because they just don’t deserve the pay raises. Remember, salaries can only increase in arbitration so no player will actually receive a paycut. Let’s begin…

The Miami Marlins have a large arbitration class.

Let’s start with players who will obviously be tendered contracts: SP Jesus Luzardo, he had a 3.32 ERA/3.12 FIP in 18 games and 100.1 innings pitched, so $2 million is a bargain price that we’re sure to pay. CP Dylan Floro may not be too popular among fans, but a $4.2 million salary for a reliever with a 3.02 ERA/3.13 FIP in 53.2 innings. Luzardo’s rotation mate Pablo López had a 3.75 ERA/3.71 FIP in 32 games and 180 innings. Pablo is getting $5.6 million and then getting traded for hitting.

Utility player Jon Berti is easily getting $2.4 million for his positional versatility, record 41 stolen bases and a .240/.324/.338 batting line. RP Cole Sulser is a lock at only $1 million, based on his success just a year ago in Baltimore. RP Jeff Brigham is almost certainly getting $1 million after pitching to a 3.38 ERA/3.65 FIP in 16 games and 24 innings pitched.

There are players who the Miami Marlins have to think about… 3B Joey Wendle is looking at $5.4 million (he also has a $6.3 million buy-out with a $75 k buyout). Wendle had 2.5 WAR but an underwhelming .259/.297/.360 batting line.  Fellow third baseman (from the bench) Brian Anderson batted .222/.311/.346 so may not be worth $5.2 million, (he got $4.4 million in 2021). C Jacob Stallings had a disappointing year with -0.7 WAR, but had 3.0 last season for Pittsburgh, so $3.3 million may be in play for him.

DH Garrett Cooper is a question mark. .274/.348/.440 and 1.0 WAR may not be worth a raise from $2.1 million to $4.1 million next season. RP Tanner Scott didn’t impress much, but the strikeout ability will likely get him $2.7 million. Finally, reliever and spot starter Elieser Hernandez is almost certainly not getting $1.8 million after a -1.1 WAR season.

What do you think? Who should the Miami Marlins tender and non-tender contracts to in this large arbitration class?