Rays Avoid Arbitration with Infielder Taylor Walls
ST. PETERSBURG — Going to an arbitration hearing seemed like a large waste of time for a relatively small amount of money for the Rays and infielder Taylor Walls, with a difference between their filings of just $275,000.
So they worked out a way to avoid the process, and the potential bad feelings that can come from a hearing in which a panel of arbitrators would pick between the $1.3 million the team offered and the $1.575 million Walls requested.
The deal, announced Wednesday, guarantees Walls $1.4 million, so a little below the midpoint.
He gets a $1.35 million salary for 2025, and the Rays have an option for 2026 to either pay him a $2.45 million salary or a $50,000 buyout.
The option can increase by $50,000 if Walls gets 450 plate appearances this season, which would mean he is playing somewhat regularly.
Defensive Strengths and Offensive Weaknesses
Walls’ case was interesting because he is elite in defensive ability, which is the hardest skill in the game to quantify, and weak in offense, which is extensively analyzed.
In 84 games last season (after missing two-plus months for recovery from offseason hip surgery), he hit .183 with a .529 OPS. Both were among the majors’ worst for a player with 250 or more plate appearances.
Based on several publicly-available defensive metrics, Walls was among the majors’ best. His 12 defensive runs saved were second to St. Louis’ Masyn Winn (14), and his 15 total zone fielding runs were above average and second to Colorado’s Ezequiel Tovar (18).
Salary and Contract Negotiations
Walls, 28, made $757,300 last season and for this season, his first of three being eligible for arbitration, he was projected to get $1.3 million.
The Rays’ team policy is to cut off negotiations once salary figures are exchanged and head to a hearing, unless they can work out a multi-year deal, which they did over the last two weeks. Walls’ option satisfied that requirement.
Conclusion
After ending the season with 12 players eligible for arbitration, the Rays cleared the docket with zero hearings, showcasing effective negotiation and contract management.
FAQs
Q: Will Taylor Walls’ performance on the field impact his future salary negotiations?
A: Yes, Walls’ performance, particularly in defensive ability, will play a significant role in determining his future salary negotiations.
Q: How did the Rays handle contract negotiations with other players?
A: The Rays successfully negotiated contracts with multiple players, avoiding arbitration hearings and reaching settlements before the deadline.
