Paul Skenes Sets Pre-Arbitration Bonus Record
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitcher, Paul Skenes, has set a new record by receiving $3,436,343 from this year’s pre-arbitration bonus pool. This brings his two-year total to $5,588,400, thanks to the initiative that seeks to reward young talents. Skenes, a 23-year-old right-hander who debuted in May 2024, earned a salary of $875,000 in the Major Leagues, in addition to the $564,946 he earned last year. He will not be eligible for salary arbitration until after the 2026 season.The previous record was held by Bobby Witt Jr., shortstop for the [Kansas City Royals](/mlb/team/_/name/kc/kansas-city-royals), with $3,077,595 for the 2024 season. This bonus program is the result of the March 2022 labor agreement between MLB and the players’ union, which established an annual pool of $50 million.
Cristopher Sanchez, pitcher for the [Philadelphia Phillies](/mlb/team/_/name/phi/philadelphia-phillies), ranked second this year with $2,678,437, after obtaining a bonus of $576,282 in 2024. Other notable players on the bonus list include Hunter Brown of the [Houston Astros](/mlb/team/_/name/hou/houston-astros) with $2,206,538, Bryan Woo of the [Seattle Mariners](/mlb/team/_/name/sea/seattle-mariners) with $1,540,676, and Corbin Carroll, outfielder for the [Arizona Diamondbacks](/mlb/team/_/name/ari/arizona-diamondbacks), with $1,341,674, according to data compiled by MLB and the players association. Also surpassing one million dollars were Nick Kurtz, first baseman for the [Athletics](/mlb/team/_/name/ath/athletics-athletics) ($1,297,017), Pete Crow-Armstrong, outfielder for the [Chicago Cubs](/mlb/team/_/name/chc/chicago-cubs) ($1,206,207), Drake Baldwin, catcher for the Athletics ($1,175,583), Brice Turang, second baseman for the [Milwaukee Brewers](/mlb/team/_/name/mil/milwaukee-brewers) ($1,155,884), and Junior Caminero, third baseman for the [Tampa Bay Rays](/mlb/team/_/name/tb/tampa-bay-rays) ($1,068,739). The Brewers became the first team with 10 players receiving these bonuses in a single year. The [Detroit Tigers](/mlb/team/_/name/det/detroit-tigers) and the [Miami Marlins](/mlb/team/_/name/mia/miami-marlins) tied for second place with six players each. Brewers players accumulated the most money in bonuses ($4,742,392), followed by the Pirates ($4,362,309) and the Athletics ($3,103,411). Several of the players who received bonuses have long-term contracts, including Carroll, Sánchez, Roman Anthony, and Ceddanne Rafaela (outfielders for the [Boston Red Sox](/mlb/team/_/name/bos/boston-red-sox)), Brayan Bello (Red Sox pitcher), Jackson Chourio (Brewers outfielder), Aaron Ashby (Brewers pitcher), Tanner Bibee (pitcher for the [Cleveland Guardians](/mlb/team/_/name/cle/cleveland-guardians)), Colt Keith (Tigers infielder), and Jackson Merrill (outfielder for the [San Diego Padres](/mlb/team/_/name/sd/san-diego-padres)). A total of 101 players will receive these payments, designed to benefit those with little service time to be eligible for salary arbitration, which was two years and 132 days at the start of the season. Players signed as foreign professionals are not eligible. Eighteen players received bonuses based on awards. An eligible player receives $2.5 million for winning the MVP or Cy Young award, $1.75 million for finishing second in the voting, $1.5 million for third place, $1 million for fourth or fifth place or for being selected to the first All-MLB team, $750,000 for the Rookie of the Year award, and $500,000 for finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting or being selected to the second All-MLB team. The All-MLB teams are voted on by fans, members of the media, broadcasters, former players, and officials. A player can only receive the bonus for one achievement per year, earning the highest amount. The remaining money is allocated using a WAR formula. Daylen Lile, outfielder for the [Washington Nationals](/mlb/team/_/name/wsh/washington-nationals), received the smallest bonus, of $150,000. Although he was not among the top 100 by WAR, he finished fifth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.
