The Blue Jays got down to business, coming to terms with six of their eight remaining arbitration eligible players on before Friday’s 1pm deadline to submit figures.

 

 

While it isn’t forbidden to continue negotiating after the team and player submits their figures to the arbitrator, the Blue Jays have maintained a “file-and-trial” policy of not coming to any single-year deals after figures are submitted. The six coming to terms with the Jays on Friday were: Aaron Loup, Brett Cecil, Steve Delabar, Drew Storen, Drew Hutchison and Michael Saunders. Remaining are Josh Donaldson and Jesse Chavez. Josh Thole was non-tendered and re-signed while the Blue Jays and Justin Smoak came to an agreement weeks ago.

 

 

Michael Saunders was the first to come away with a deal at $2.9 million, right at his MLB Trade Rumours arbitration projection while Steve Delabar got $835,000 in his first go-round with arbitration, $135,000 more than was estimated. Drew Hutchison and the Jays came to an agreement of $2.2 million (well below the estimated $2.6 million) and Aaron Loup settled for $1.05 million (a bit more than the $900,000 projection). Brett Cecil did well for himself: he was projected to get $3.4 million but the popular and effective lefty got $3.8 million. The Jays saved some money with newly acquired Drew Storen. Storen was projected to get $8.8 million but the Jays got him to sign for $8.375 million with a series of three $50,000 incentive bonuses which he’ll receive if he finishes 35, 45 and 55 games.

 

Not settling were Josh Donaldson who was only $450,000 apart from the Blue Jays’ offer. The reigning AL MVP asked for $11.8 million while the Blue Jays have offered $11.35 million. Ben Nicholson-Smith reports that the Blue Jays’ offer would represent a tie with Chris Davis‘s record raise for second time eligible players, apparently not wanting to set a precedent by offering more.

The salary #BlueJays are offering Donaldson would represent raise of $7.05M. That’d tie Chris Davis’ record raise for 2TE position players

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) January 15, 2016

Also according to Nicholson-Smith, Jesse Chavez is asking for a cool $4 million while the Jays are offering $3.6 million.

 

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