Paul Skenes Sets New Pre-Arbitration Bonus Record
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 direct more funds to the most outstanding young players. Skenes, a 23-year-old right-hander who debuted in May 2024, had a salary of $875,000 in the Major Leagues after earning $564,946 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, with $3,077,595 for the 2024 season. This bonus program is the result of the labor agreement between MLB and the players’ union in March 2022, establishing an annual pool of $50 million.
Cristopher Sanchez, pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, ranked second this year with $2,678,437, after obtaining a bonus of $576,282 in 2024. Other players who received significant bonuses include Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros ($2,206,538), Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners ($1,540,676) and Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks ($1,341,674), according to data compiled by Major League Baseball and the players’ association. Also surpassing one million dollars were Nick Kurtz (Athletics), Pete Crow-Armstrong (Chicago Cubs), Drake Baldwin (Athletics), Brice Turang (Milwaukee Brewers), and Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays). The Milwaukee Brewers became the first team with 10 players earning bonuses in a single year. The Detroit Tigers and the Miami Marlins tied for second place with six players each. Brewers players accumulated the most money, with $4,742,392, followed by Pittsburgh ($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, Ceddanne Rafaela, Brayan Bello, Jackson Chourio, Aaron Ashby, Tanner Bibee, Colt Keith, and Jackson Merrill. A total of 101 players will receive payments under this plan, designed to provide more income to players without the service time needed to be eligible for salary arbitration before the season, which is two years and 132 days. Players signed as foreign professionals are not eligible.Eighteen players earned 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 for 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 for 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 is eligible to receive the bonus for an achievement per year, earning only the highest amount. The remaining money is allocated using a WAR formula. Daylen Lile, outfielder for the Washington Nationals, received the smallest bonus, of $150,000, despite not being among the top 100 by WAR, finished fifth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.
