Of nine arbitration-eligible players, Marcus Stroman and Roberto Osuna are the only two Blue Jays that the team did not reach contract agreements with before Friday's 1 p.m. deadline for salary figure exchanges.
Toronto set a new MLB record by signing third baseman Josh Donaldson to the most expensive single-season contract for an arbitration-eligible player. The 2015 AL MVP inked a one-year, $23 million deal, earning him a $6 million raise and surpassing Bryce Harper's previous mark of $21.625 million.
MORE: Donaldson settles for $23 million, 'OK' if Jays 'decide to move on'
The Blue Jays also reached settlements with Aaron Sanchez ($2.7 million), Devon Travis ($1.45 million), Kevin Pillar ($3.25 million), Dominic Leon ($1.085 million), Ezequiel Carrera ($1.9 million) and Aaron Loup ($1.8125).
Should their cases proceed, an independent arbiter will hear from the team as well as Stroman and Osuna, before deciding on one of the two proposed salary figures by the start of Spring Training.
Since new deals are permitted until the hearings start, Toronto could still avoid arbitration with Stroman and Osuna but it's unlikely considering the team's strategy historically. The Blue Jays are considered a "file and trial" team , meaning that once salary figures are exchanged, they don't negotiate one-year deals further and opt for the hearing.
Blue Jays pitchers and catchers report on Feb 14. to kick off Spring Traing, with position players arriving Feb. 19 for physicals. The first official team workout will be held Feb. 20.
Both star right-handers are expected to get significant pay raises this year following standout performances in 2016-17. After earning $3.4 million last season and finishing as a top-five AL starter, Stroman reportedly filed for $6.9 million, while the Blue Jays offered $6.5 million.
Marcus Stroman files for $6.9 million, #Bluejays at $6.5 million
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 12, 2018
After recording 95 saves in his first three MLB seasons, Osuna reportedly filed for $5.8 million in his first year of arbitration, while the Jays sent an offer of $5.3 million.
osuna files at $5.8M, jays at $5.3M
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 12, 2018
Blue Jays pitchers and catchers report on Feb 14. to kick off Spring Traing, with position players arriving Feb. 19 for physicals. The first official team workout will be held Feb. 20.