Reds, Indians face Tuesday deadline for tendering arbitration-eligible players
Tuesday marks the deadline for teams to offer contracts to players eligible for arbitration next season. For the Indians, there shouldn't be any drama but for the Reds there could be a couple of interesting decisions.
The Reds have nine players eligible for arbitration while the Indians have five. Cincinnati has the more interesting names coming up again for arbitration including pitchers Mat Latos, Aroldis Chapman and Mike Leake, third baseman Todd Frazier and catcher Devin Mesoraco.
However when it comes to Chris Heisey and Logan Ondrusek, it is not a given that they will be tendered. Heisey has been unable to nail down the starting spot in left field and batted just .222 with eight home runs and 22 RBI in 122 games last year. He does offer some versatility off the bench but the Reds have a logjam of outfielders, especially in left.
In 40 appearances, Ondrusek was 3-3 with a 5.49 ERA. According to STATS LLC, the right-hander let 36 percent of his inherited runs score (9 of 25), which was second most on the team last season.
Of the five on Cleveland, the only one that might bring up some discussions is Josh Tomlin. But with his value as a starter in case of injury and in the bullpen, he should be tendered.
Any players non-tendered become free agents and are eligible to sign with any team.
Here is a look at the players for both teams that need to be tendered along with the MLB Trade Rumors estimate of what they will make if it reaches arbitration. Up until last year the Indians did not have a case reach arbitration since 1991:
INDIANS
First year: P Carlos Carrasco ($1.4 million), 3B Lonnie Chisenhall ($2.2 million), P Bryan Shaw ($1.5 million)
Second year: P Mark Rzepczynski ($1.9 million), P Josh Tomlin ($1.7 million)
REDS
First year: IF Zack Cozart ($2.3 million), 3B Todd Frazier ($4.6 million), C Devin Mesoraco ($2.8 million)
Second year: P Aroldis Chapman ($8.3 million), P Logan Ondrusek ($2.3 million)
Third year: OF Chris Heisey ($2.2 million), P Mat Latos ($8.4 million), P Mike Leake ($9.5 million), P Alfredo Simon ($5.1 million)
