Martinez asked for $4.25 million in arbitration; the Cardinals offered $3.9 million. The Cardinals are a “file-and-trial” team, meaning that they go straight to a hearing once numbers are exchanged, with no further negotiation on a one-year deal. Their policy, however, does not preclude long-term discussions, a source said.
Players occasionally avoid arbitration by signing contract extensions, and Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez will be the next rising star to land a significant deal.Martinez, 25, is in agreement on a five-year, $51 million extension with the club, according to FanRag Sports, which confirmed an initial report by FOX Sports saying that the sides were progressing toward such a deal. The contract, the largest ever given to a first-time eligible arbitration player, will buy out Martinez’s three arbitration years and two years of free agency, enabling the player and club to avoid a hearing that is scheduled for Wednesday. It also includes two club options, giving the Cardinals control over Martinez through 2023, MLB.com said.
Martinez has produced a 3.02 ERA and .663 opponents’ OPS in 60 starts and 370 innings the past two seasons. He also made two relief appearances in 2015.Ken Rosenthal/FOX Sports