Today the Tigers avoided arbitration with closer Shane Green and reliever Alex Wilson. This comes the day after they avoided arbitration with catcher James McCann. Still left unsigned, but arbitration eligible, are INF/OF Nicholas Casetellanos (projected to make $7.6MM), shortstop Jose Iglesias (projected to make $5.6MM). Back in November, the club reached a deal with reliever Blaine Hardy, leaving Iglesias and Castellanos as the only holdouts.
Tigers, Shane Greene agree to one-year deal worth $1,950,000, according to source.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) January 12, 2018
The Tigers and right-handed reliever Alex Wilson have agreed to a $1.925 million salary for 2018, avoiding arbitration, as @beckjason said.
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) January 12, 2018
Shane Greene —
Greene stepped into the role of the closer after the departure of Justin Wilson last season. In 67.2 innings pitched last season, he accumulated a 2.66 ERA, a 9.07 K/9, collected nine saves. He slots in as the team’s closer for 2018 unless moved sometime during the season. The team avoided arbitration with Greene on a one year, $1.950 million deal–slightly higher ($1.7MM) than Baseball Trade Rumors had him projected at.
Alex Wilson —
Wilson, for his part, has been one of the more grittier relievers in a Tigers uniform. Having a down season in 2017, Wilson had performed very well for the Tigers after coming over in a trade with the Boston Red Sox. In 2015 and 2016 he carried an ERA of 2.19 and 2.96 respectively but saw that balloon in 2017 to 4.50. Mainly a setup guy, Wilson’s did suffer an injury toward the end of last season but is ready to go for 2018. Agreeing to a $1.925 million deal, the Tigers saved a little bit of money on Wilson’s BTR arbitration projection.
Avoiding arbitration is nothing new for the Tigers, as they have tried to avoid the dreaded mediation and have been successful. Their last arbitration hearing was in 2001 in a dispute with Chris Holt.
Tigers now haven't gone to arbitration with a player since 2001, when they defeated the immortal Chris Holt, who sought $2.35M. Tigers countered with $1.85M and prevailed. 'Twas a memorable skirmish.
— Lynn G. Henning (@Lynn_Henning) January 12, 2018
Now that the bullpen is set, the focus turns to Castellanos and Iglesias, two players that could figure significantly into the Tigers trade plans. It looks as though their pension to avoid arbitration may be thwarted with these two contracts. Iglesias is in his last year of arbitration, while Castellanos still has two more years worth of team control — becoming a free agent in 2020.
