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BOSTON,January 8,2026 – The flurry of free-agent signings might be grabbing headlines,but a crucial deadline arrived today for the red Sox and other MLB teams: exchanging salary figures for players eligible for arbitration. This means determining 2026 pay for players who haven’t yet reached free agency, possibly heading to a hearing in February if agreements aren’t reached.
Arbitration Clock Ticking for Red Sox: Who’s Negotiating?
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The Red Sox face decisions on four players as the arbitration exchange deadline passes.
- Thursday is the deadline for teams to exchange salary figures with arbitration-eligible players.
- If no agreement is reached, a panel of arbitrators will decide each player’s salary.
- the Red Sox have already agreed to terms with Jarren Duran, Connor Wong, and Kutter crawford.
- Tanner Houck, Johan oviedo, Romy Gonzalez, and Triston Casas remain in negotiations.
Arbitration is a process that determines player salaries for those with three to six years of major league service time, and a select few with two years who meet specific criteria. The Red Sox have already navigated deals with several players,but four remain in the negotiation process as of today.
What Does Arbitration Actually Mean?
If a team and a player can’t agree on a salary by today’s deadline,both sides submit their desired figures. A panel of arbitrators then hears arguments from both sides and chooses one figure – the player’s or the team’s – with no compromise allowed. This chosen figure becomes the player’s salary for the season. These hearings can be awkward,as teams must justify why a player doesn’t deserve a higher salary in front of them. The Red Sox last went to arbitration with a player in 2020, with Eduardo Rodriguez.
What’s the typical salary range for arbitration-eligible players? Predicting exact figures is difficult, but MLB Trade Rumors annually publishes projections that have proven historically accurate.
Who Are the Remaining Red Sox Players?
As of today, right-handers Tanner Houck and Johan Oviedo, utility man Romy Gonzalez, and first baseman Triston Casas are the Red sox players still working towards a resolution. Originally, the list included Jarren Duran, catcher Connor Wong, first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, right-handers Kutter Crawford and Josh Winckowski, and left-hander Brennan Bernardino.
The Red Sox have already reached agreements with Duran ($7.7 million), Wong ($1.375 million), and Crawford ($2.75 million) to avoid arbitration. lowe and Winckowski were non-tendered,becoming free agents,and Bernardino was traded to the Colorado Rockies.
What Could Each Player Earn?
MLB Trade Rumors projects Houck to earn approximately $3.95 million, Oviedo $2 million, Gonzalez $1.8 million, and Casas $1.7 million. However, each player’s situation is unique.
Looking Ahead: Roles and Recoveries
Houck won’t pitch for the Red Sox in 2026, recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent last August after a challenging season. He earned an all-Star nod in 2024 but faces a lengthy recovery before returning to the mound in 2027.
Oviedo, acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Jhostynxon Garcia trade, is expected to compete for a No. 4 or 5 rotation spot. He recently returned from Tommy John surgery himself and posted a 3.57 ERA in 40.1 innings over nine starts down the stretch last season.
Gonzalez provided exceptional value for the Red Sox in 2025, batting .305 with an .826 OPS in 315 at-bats while earning just $774,000. He’s likely to return to a bench role in 2026, barring injuries.
Casas was slated to be Boston’s starting first baseman and cleanup hitter in 2025 before a knee injury ended
