2027 MLB Arbitration Outlook
New 2027 MLB Arbitration Projections Put Cubs, Rangers, and Mets Decisions in Focus
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Key Points
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Justin Steele is a Super Two player, making this his fourth trip through arbitration. The article says his earnings have stayed mostly flat because he has missed nearly two full seasons, and suggests the Cubs could explore a short extension that trades another year of control for a higher 2027 salary.
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Rangers utility player Ezequiel Duran is projected to earn $4 million after posting a .260/.320/.419 line with 17 home runs and 83 RBIs; the article says Texas could consider extending him, though another year in a full-time super-utility role may help clarify his value.
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The Mets may need to clear three 40-man roster spots for Jorge Polanco, Tylor Megill and Reed Garrett, all of whom are on the 60-day injured list, while also making room for potential offseason additions.
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The Mets article notes that David Stearns has taken only one arbitration case to a hearing since joining the club: Phil Bickford’s. The team later released Bickford during spring training.
Major League Baseball's arbitration projections for 2027 are now public, and three teams face critical roster decisions in the coming weeks. The Cubs have about 12 arbitration-eligible players — among the league's largest groups — and are expected to tender MLB Trade Rumors Justin Steele rather than risk a hearing. The Rangers' 10 eligible players are projected to cost $38.3 million total, forcing tough choices on whether to keep MacKenzie Gore and Jake Burger or explore trades. The Mets must decide which of their 10 candidates to retain by November 20, with Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty as top priorities, though one report hints at a potential Alvarez trade.
Cubs Weigh Short Extension for Super Two Steele
Justin Steele is a Super Two player, meaning this is his fourth arbitration trip. His earnings have stayed mostly flat because he missed nearly two full seasons to injury. MLB Trade Rumors suggests the Cubs could explore a short contract extension that trades another year of team control for a higher 2027 salary — a way to lock in stability while Steele stays healthy.
Rangers Weigh Retaining or Trading Gore and Burger
Texas faces a $38.3 million arbitration bill across 10 eligible players, with MacKenzie Gore and Jake Burger commanding the highest salaries. MLB Trade Rumors reports the Rangers must decide whether the cost justifies keeping both stars or if a trade could bring back younger assets. Utility player Ezequiel Duran is projected to earn $4 million after hitting .260/.320/.419 with 17 home runs and 83 RBIs — numbers that could improve with more time in a full-time super-utility role.
Mets Face Roster Crunch and Alvarez Trade Speculation
New York has 10 arbitration candidates to tender by November 20, but MLB Trade Rumors notes the team must also clear three 40-man spots for Jorge Polanco, Tylor Megill, and Reed Garrett, all currently on the 60-day injured list. Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty remain core pieces the Mets want to keep, yet one report raises the possibility of trading Alvarez to create payroll flexibility and open room for offseason additions.
Stearns' Track Record Shows Rare Hearings
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has taken arbitration to a hearing only once since joining the club: Phil Bickford's case. The team later released Bickford during spring training, signaling Stearns prefers settlements over courtroom fights. That approach may guide his decisions on the 2027 group, especially with potential labor negotiations and a possible lockout that could delay the arbitration timeline.
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