The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Tony Gonsolin to a two-year, $6.65 million contract extension that runs through the 2024 season. In doing so, the Dodgers and Gonsolin avoided an arbitration hearing, which are being held through Friday, February 17.
Gonsolin was the lone member of the Dodgers’ 10 arbitration-eligible players who did not agree to terms at the January 13 exchange deadline. Gonsolin filed for a $3.4 million salary for the 2023 season, and the Dodgers countered at $3 million.
The only arbitration hearings under Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman both came in 2020, when the team won their case over Joc Pederson but lost to Pedro Báez. Those were the first arbitration hearings for the Dodgers since winning against Joe Beimel in 2007.
Friedman historically has taken a “file and trial” approach, but demonstrated a willingness to avoid an arbitration hearing by agreeing on a multi-year contract. Such has now applied to Max Muncy, Chris Taylor, Austin Barnes and Walker Buehler in addition to Gonsolin.
In his first extended opportunity to be part of the Dodgers starting rotation, Gonsolin found the best success of his career.
He became the first National League pitcher to reach eight wins and gave up two runs or fewer in 16 consecutive starts to begin the 2022 season. Gonsolin finished the first half with an 11-0 record, 2.02 ERA and 0.84 WHIP en route to earning an All-Star Game selection.
There was some regression in the second half and Gonsolin also missed five weeks due to a right forearm strain.
He went on to finish 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA, 3.28 FIP and 0.88 WHIP across a career-high 130.1 innings pitched over 24 starts. Gonsolin returned in time for the postseason and allowed one run on four hits in a Game 3 start against the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series.
Gonsolin qualified for MLB bonus program
Part of the 2022-2026 collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the Players Association was the creation of a $50 million bonus pool for players going through salary arbitration.
A total of 100 players received bonuses for the 2022 season, which are accrued through the “Joint WAR” metric and placement in end-of-the-year awards voting. Gonsolin and Will Smith both qualified for bonuses stemming from performance last year.
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