Dodgers Non-Tender Two Players

The Dodgers non-tendered two players ahead of the non-tender deadline.

Tonight was the final day to tender contracts to players, and the day kicked off with A.J. Ellis signing a one year, $4.5 million contract in order to avoid salary arbitration

Throughout the day, teams announced their decisions to tender (and non-tender) players, and a few good players became free agents. Pedro Alvarez was non-tendered by the Pirates, but he seems destined for the AL. Henderson Alvarez was non-tendered by Miami, and I might need to go edit my “offseason wish list post” because the Dodgers need to jump on that.

Ellis and Joe Wieland each received one-year contracts worth $4.5M and $590K respectively. Kenley Jansen, Chris Hatcher, Luis Avilan, Yasmani Grandal, Justin Turner and Scott Van Slyke were each tendered contracts, leaving two casualties.

Juan Nicasio and Lisalverto Bonilla are now free agents. Nicasio led Dodger relievers with 58 1/3 innings pitched and for the most part was solid in his first year in LA. His main problem came with walking batters (4.9 BB/9), but he also struck out 10 batters/9 and posted a 3.86 ERA (2.83 FIP).

Sep 24, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Lisalverto Bonilla (59) throws during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

He faltered down the stretch and lost his playoff roster spot to Joel Peralta, who was nails in September. Nicasio was acquired last November from Colorado and was dependable enough, but ultimately the Dodgers decided not to tender him a contract.

Bonilla was acquired from Texas in October after missing the 2015 season with Tommy John surgery. Bonilla was stashed on the 60-day DL and wasn’t eligible for arbitration, but he’s now off the offseason 40-man roster.

The 40-man now has 37 players.

As for the six players that were tendered contracts, their next step is to either negotiate another contract or head to an arbitration hearing, during which a panel and arbitrator will decide what the player should be paid. It rarely ever gets to that point, as the team and player usually come to an agreement before the hearing.

Next: Daniel's Perfect Dodger Offseason

Considering the quality of the arbitration players, the Dodgers will likely have to spend a lot of money to keep them. Jansen, Turner and Grandal, specifically, should each command a hefty pay raise. They’ll likely reach an agreement, as the Dodgers haven’t actually gone to an arbitration hearing since  Joe Beimel in 2007.