Mark Leiter Jr. of the New York Yankees and Dennis Santana of the Pittsburgh Pirates faced setbacks in salary arbitration, with Leiter being awarded $2.05 million instead of his requested $2.5 million, while Santana will earn $1.4 million compared to his $2.1 million request. The arbitration decisions reflect a broader trend, with teams winning three out of the last four cases. Notably, Mickey Moniak of the Los Angeles Angels successfully negotiated a $2 million salary against a higher request, while Alex Vesia of the Los Angeles Dodgers avoided arbitration altogether by agreeing to a $2.3 million contract.

The arbitration results for Leiter come off a mixed season where he posted a 4.50 ERA in 60 appearances, including a strong postseason showing. Santana's performance was also solid, with a 3.89 ERA over 62 appearances for the Yankees and Pirates last season. As the arbitration period continues, several players, including Brendan Donovan and Nathaniel Lowe, are slated for hearings, adding more intrigue to the offseason.

In a recent round of salary arbitration, New York Yankees reliever Mark Leiter Jr. and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana both faced unfavorable outcomes. Leiter, who sought $2.5 million, will instead earn $2.05 million, while Santana's request for $2.1 million was denied, and he will receive $1.4 million. The arbitration decisions were delivered by panels after hearings in which arguments were presented by both parties.

This arbitration round saw a slight lead for teams, winning three out of four hearings. Right-hander Johan Oviedo of the Pirates lost his case, settling at $850,000, whereas Mickey Moniak triumphed against the Los Angeles Angels, securing a $2 million salary. Additionally, the Los Angeles Dodgers' Alex Vesia reached a pre-hearing agreement worth $2.3 million for the upcoming season.

Leiter, who turns 34 in March, had a mixed performance last season, posting a 4.50 ERA over 60 appearances after being acquired by the Yankees mid-season. Notably, he contributed to the Yankees' postseason efforts, including a key appearance in the American League Championship Series. Santana, 28, also had a solid season as a reliever, appearing in 62 games combined for the Yankees and Pirates.

Johan Oviedo, a right-handed pitcher, faced a setback in his salary arbitration, settling for $850,000 instead of the $1.15 million he sought after a 9-14 season with a 4.32 ERA. This ruling marks the first arbitration decision of the year, delivered by a panel of arbitrators shortly after hearing arguments. Oviedo's earnings last year were $765,000, reflecting his struggle in four seasons split between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he holds a 4.32 ERA overall.

Meanwhile, Dennis Santana also entered arbitration with the Pirates, aiming for a salary increase to $2.1 million from his current $1 million, while the team offered $1.4 million. Santana's performance included a 3-1 record and 3.89 ERA in 62 relief appearances last season. As the arbitration hearings continue until February 14, other notable cases include Nathaniel Lowe, Michael King, and William Contreras, who are vying for substantial salary increases.

Jovan Oviedo of the Pittsburgh Pirates has made headlines as the first player to enter salary arbitration this year, seeking a raise to $1.15 million from his current salary of $765,000. The Pirates, however, countered with an offer of $850,000. The decision from arbitrators Allen Ponak, Robert Herman, and Jasbir Parmar is forthcoming.

In a related matter, Baltimore's Jorge Mateo successfully avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract valued at $3.55 million, with an additional $5.5 million team option for 2026. Mateo had initially requested $4 million but settled after the Orioles offered $3.1 million. His performance last season included a batting average of .229, five home runs, and 13 stolen bases.

As the arbitration period extends through February 14, eleven additional players face hearings, with notable cases including Nathaniel Lowe of the Washington Nationals, who is debating an $11.1 million salary demand against a $10.3 million offer. Other players in line for arbitration include Michael King from San Diego and Milwaukee's William Contreras, each with substantial salary discrepancies. The outcomes of these negotiations will be closely monitored as players and teams navigate the complex arbitration landscape.

The Pittsburgh Pirates finished the 2024 season with a 76-86 record, landing them in fifth place in the NL Central. After a balanced first half, the team faltered, with a notable drop in offensive performance.

Young pitchers like Paul Skenes and Luis Ortiz showed promise, while the bullpen found strength in Dennis Santana. However, the offense struggled significantly, with key players like Ke'Bryan Hayes and Henry Davis underperforming.

Heading into the offseason, the Pirates need to bolster their hitting and address the closer situation, particularly with potential free agency losses.