Toronto Blue Jays' Eric Lauer headed to arbitration hearing after deal can't be reached
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Eric Lauer is headed to an arbitration hearing after the two sides couldn't reach an agreement.
The Blue Jays came to terms with each of Ernie Clement, Daulton Varsho and Tyler Heineman, but didn't agree to a deal with Lauer for the upcoming season.
That means that an arbitration hearing will be scheduled for early February.
Negotiations can continue until the hearing, but Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith reported that Lauer filed at $5.75 million and the Blue Jays filed at $4.4 million.
The Blue Jays and Eric Lauer are expected to go to an arbitration hearing, per Ben Nicholson-Smith. Lauer filed for $5.75 million, while Toronto filed for $4.4 million.
Lauer may have the advantage going into the arbitration hearing
According to Nicholson-Smith, players who leave the arbitration system and come back have historically been paid above their previous high-water mark.
Important context for Lauer's case: he had worked his way up to $5.075 million in arbitration before going to Korea. Historically, players who work their way up in arb, exit the arb system then come back get paid above their previous high water mark. Ultimately up to an arb panel.
For the hearing, a panel of arbitrators will decide between the number Lauer filed and the number the Blue Jays filed for his 2026 salary.
After landing with the Blue Jays on a minor-league deal last off-season, Lauer began the 2025 season in triple-A before emerging as a key piece of Toronto's pitching staff.
Following his late-April recall, Lauer went on to post a 3.18 ERA over 104.2 innings, working as both a starter and reliever.
Eric Lauer has been an invaluable addition to the Blue Jays rotation
The 30-year-old also made five appearances in the Blue Jays' post-season run, carrying a 3.12 ERA through 8.2 innings.
Eric Lauer escapes the jam and sends World Series Game 3 to the 15th inning!
Lauer spent 2024 pitching in the Korea Baseball Organization after starting his MLB career with the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers.
Source: Sportsnet
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JANVIER 9 | 80 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays' Eric Lauer headed to arbitration hearing after deal can't be reached Should the Blue Jays have just gave Eric Lauer $5.75 million instead of going to an arbitration hearing? | ||
| Yes | 65 | 81.3 % |
| No | 15 | 18.8 % |
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