Cardinals Announce 2022 Contract and Arbitration Details

photo: Tyler O’Neill, Dylan Carlson, Harrison Bader (Michael McLoone/USA TODAY Sports)

St. Louis Cardinals press release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Tuesday, March 22) that they reached agreement on 2022 contracts with five of their seven salary arbitration eligible players and 20 of their 21 pre-arbitration players.

Pitchers Jack Flaherty, Giovanni Gallegos, Jordan Hicks, Dakota Hudson and Alex Reyes agreed to terms to avoid salary arbitration, while outfielders Harrison Bader and Tyler O’Neill did not.

Harrison Bader

Of the pre-arbitration players, those agreeing to terms were Génesis Cabrera, Brendan Donovan, Tommy Edman, Junior Fernandez, Ryan Helsley, Ivan Herrera, Andrew Knizner, Lars Nootbaar, Johan Oviedo, Freddy Pacehco, Johan Quezada, Angel Rondón, Ali Sánchez, Edmundo Sosa, Brendon Waddell, Jake Walsh, Kodi Whitley, Jake Woodford, Juan Yepez and T.J. Zeuch.

Dylan Carlson

Outfielder Dylan Carlson had his contract renewed.

Brian Walton’s take

What this indicates is that the starting outfield is unhappy with their salary offers from the team.

Bader and O’Neill (who both sat out of Tuesday’s game) received an offer from the club, but they want more, an amount that was also shared with the team. The two sides will either come to an agreement before a hearing later this month or arbitrators will select one amount or the other – with no compromise then allowed.

Arbitration is the process used for players with just under three to just under six years of MLB service time. (At six years, they can become free agents.)

The Cardinals adopted a “file and trial” policy in recent years, meaning they tell the player that if the two sides cannot agree by the filing deadline, they are done negotiating. That makes hearings likely unless the player accepts the team figure.

Tyler O’Neill

According to MLB Trade Rumors estimates, Bader will make around $3.7 million and O’Neill may be in line for $3.5 million. The actual amounts of the team and player filings are unknown.

On the other hand, Carlson was likely given an offer that is based on a team-developed scale for players not yet arbitration eligible. As a result, though Carlson did not agree, he had to take the amount the team offered.

As a reminder, the MLB minimum salary in 2022 is $700,000. My guess is that Carlson’s offer was likely slightly above that. The other pre-arbitration Cardinals should be paid in the same vicinity.

Pre-arbitration players are those with from zero to just under three years of MLB service time.

Here are the MLBTR estimates for the other arb-eligibles. Of course, their actual mileage may vary!

  • Reyes – $3.3 million
  • Flaherty – $5.1 million
  • Hicks – $1.0 million
  • Gallegos – $2.8 million
  • Hudson – $1.7 million

Here are some answers to the above from various sources.

Though I have not confirmed the information, a reader sent me this.

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals Minor League Camp Working Rosters – 03/18/22

Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members can purchase our Prospect Guide PDF at 50% off!

Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com or for fastest turnaround, pose your questions on The Cardinal Nation’s members-only forum. Follow Brian on Twitter.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.