A's Avoid Arbitration with Five Players

Coming into Thursday's arbitration deadline, the Oakland A's had already come to terms with three of their five arbitration eligible players, but veterans Seth Brown and Paul Blackburn were still left looking for their 2024 contract. Thursday afternoon their deals were announced by the team. 

According to Jon Morosi, Seth Brown's deal is for $2.6 million and includes an award package. No details have come out on that award package, but it could be as simple as on-the-field milestones that add a little money, or perhaps even a bonus if he gets traded. Brown had been projected to earn $2.4 million in his first year of arbitration by MLB Trade Rumors. He will not hit free agency until after the 2026 season. 

Blackburn also signed for a little over his projection, netting $3.45 million per Susan Slusser. He was projected to earn $3.2 million in his second year of arbitration. He'll hit the free agent market following the 2025 season. 

With these deals both being made official, Blackburn and Brown are now the second and third highest paid players on the A's current roster, with Aledmys Díaz ($8 million) leading the way. 

The other three players that avoided arbitration with the A's are all fairly new to the team. The first, Sean Newcomb, made his A's debut at the end of the year in 2023 and has since required surgery on each of his knees. He is set to make $1 million and reside the bullpen when healthy. He's a free agent after '25 as well. 

Then there is Abraham Toro, the A's projected third baseman heading into 2024. Toro was acquired in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers back in November and is set to earn $1.275 million in his second of four arbitration seasons. He is a free agent after the 2026 season. 

Lastly, there is Miguel Andújar, who was a waiver claim from the Pittsburgh Pirates in early November. Right now he's looking to be in a platoon as a corner outfielder with Seth Brown. The 28-year-old will make $1.7 million in 2023 and is also a free agent following the 2025 season. 

The A's current estimated payroll on FanGraphs is $41 million for the 2024 season, which jumps up to $61.18 million for their luxury tax estimate.