WASHINGTON — Washington Nationals right-hander cade Cavalli and the team reached an agreement on a one-year, $870,000 contract Sunday, successfully avoiding salary arbitration.
Avoiding the Arbitration Process
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The Nationals and Cavalli agreed to terms just days after exchanging proposed salaries, showcasing a willingness to compromise.
- Cavalli requested a $900,000 salary, while the Nationals initially offered $825,000.
- The final agreement of $862,500 represents the midpoint between the two figures.
- The contract includes a $4 million team option for 2027,with a $7,500 buyout.
- Cavalli is now secured for the upcoming season after a challenging recovery from Tommy John surgery.
The $75,000 difference between the initial proposals was the smallest gap among the 18 players who exchanged figures with their clubs on Jan. 8. The agreement ensures Cavalli will be with the Nationals for the 2026 season, providing stability as he continues his career.
What is the arbitration process in Major League Baseball? It’s a method for resolving salary disputes between players and teams when they can’t agree on a contract. An independent arbitrator ultimately decides the player’s salary.
Cavalli’s Road Back to the Majors
The 27-year-old Cavalli became eligible for arbitration for the first time after a 2025 season where he went 3-1 with a 4.25 ERA in 10 starts – his first full regular-season action since 2022.He earned a total of $579,832, with $760,200 coming from his time in the major leagues and $370,100 from his time in the minors.
Originally selected by Washington with the 22nd pick in the 2020 amateur draft, Cavalli made his big league debut on Aug. 26, 2022, appearing in a single game that year. his progress was unfortunately halted by an injury to his pitching arm during a spring training game against the New York Mets on march 14, 2023, requiring Tommy John surgery a week later.
Cavalli began a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment on May 20,2024,but was limited to just three outings totaling 8 innings. He started the 2025 season at Class A Fredericksburg, quickly progressing to Double-A Harrisburg on April 24 and then to Triple-A Rochester five days later.
He returned to the major leagues on Aug. 6, 2025, after a challenging stint in the minors where he went 4-17 with a 5.47 ERA in 17 starts. Cavalli pitched 4 scoreless innings against the Athletics in his return and secured his first big league win on Aug. 16 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Remaining Arbitration Cases
Seventeen players remain scheduled for hearings, which will be held from Jan. 26 to Feb. 13 in Scottdale, Arizona. One
