The arbitration deadline for 2018 MLB contracts is 1 p.m. Eastern on Friday, and the Twins have agreed to terms on one-year deals with the following players:
- Infielder Eduardo Escobar (signed for $4.85 million, MLBTR projected $4.9 million)
Escobar, 29, is coming off playing 129 games last season between five defensive positions while setting career-high marks in plate appearances (499), homers (21) and runs (62) and RBIs (73). He filled in admirably at third base after Miguel Sano’s injury, with 10 of his home runs coming after Sano went down. Escobar will be a free agent after the 2018 season.
- Utility man Ehire Adrianza (signed for $1 million, MLBTR projected $1 million)
Adrianza, 28, was a terrific 25th man for the Twins in 2017, slashing .265/.324/.383 while playing all across the infield and even a little bit in left field. Adrianza was difficult to strike out, took a few walks and ultimately gave the Twins some defensive flexibility with a steady glove almost everywhere he played. He was eligible for arbitration for the first time, and will be eligible for free agency after 2020.
- Relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (signed for $1.6 million, MLBTR projected $1.6 million)
The 29-year-old Pressly’s ERA jumped a full run from 2016 to ’17, but his rates improved almost for the most part as he fanned a batter per inning, brought his WHIP and hits per nine innings down and kept his walks in check. Homers were a killer for Pressly though, as he allowed 10 in just 61.1 innings. He remains intriguing due to his power fastball and curve/slider combo — especially since he possesses an elite spin rate on his curve — but he’ll have to work his way back into the good graces of manager Paul Molitor if he’s going to see any late-inning work. This was Pressly’s second year of arbitration eligibility, and he’s eligible for free agency after the 2019 season.
- Pitcher Trevor May (signed for $650k, MLBTR projected $600k)
May missed the entire 2017 season due to Tommy John surgery, and his status for the start of 2018 is currently unclear. So too is his role once he’s healthy. May wants to be a starter — and his body faltered in 2016 when asked to work out of the bullpen exclusively — but it’s unclear to this point where the team will find an opening for him. May is heading into his age-28 season, was eligible for free agency for the first time this winter and will be a free agent after the 2020 season.
- Outfielder Robbie Grossman (signed for $2 million, MLBTR projected $2.4 million)
Grossman is headed into his age-28 season and was eligible for arbitration for the first time. He’s slated for free agency after the 2020 season. Grossman hit .246/.361/.380 in a career-high 119 games for the Twins, as he made 17 starts in left field, 28 starts in right and 61 at designated hitter. He’s currently penciled in for the DH role yet again this season, though that is subject to change if the Twins land a bat, such as Mike Napoli. Grossman has hit .262/.372/.409 through 218 games with the Twins over two seasons.
The remaining player eligible for arbitration is pitcher Kyle Gibson ($5.3 million projected).
If agreements are not made prior to the hearing, each side submits a figure and the arbiter decides which one is fairer.
The Twins have not gone to arbitration with any player since 2006, when Kyle Lohse was awarded $4.2 million. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds during the 2007 season.
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