• If the Diamondbacks don't move one of their outfielders, look for Adam Eaton to open the season at Triple-A, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. "That's not in a perfect world what we want to have happen," GM Kevin Towers told Gilbert. "But we're not going to move an outfielder in a lousy deal just to move an outfielder."
• Within the same piece, Towers says discussions have been held with the Diamondbacks' six arbitration eligible players and he expects those negotiations to go down to the wire. You can follow the Diamondbacks' arbitration cases and those of MLB's other 29 teams with MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker.
• Acknowledging it sounds crazy and doesn't really think it's going to happen, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post urges the Nationals to sign free agent closer Rafael Soriano. Kilgore sees agent Scott Boras convincing owner Ted Lerner the franchise has a finite window of competing for titles and Soriano is the final, missing piece. 
• Earlier today, ESPN.com's Buster Olney suggested the Giants should look into signing Buster Posey to a Joey Votto-type extension. Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, however, would be surprised by such a deal because the Giants have been burned by long-term contracts given to Barry Zito and Aaron Rowand. Schulman tweeted a good starting point in Posey talks would be the $53.5MM given to Tim Lincecum during his four-years of arbitration eligibility.  
• The Marlins are sifting through the batch of unsigned free agent relievers and are able to sign an inexpensive arm or two with the salary relief leftover from trading Yunel Escobar, according to the Miami Herald's Clark Spencer.
• Rick VandenHurk, released yesterday by the Pirates, will sign with the Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization, according to Naver, a Korean news service, confirming a report first tweeted by Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.net.

Matt Swartz has developed a very accurate model that MLBTR uses to project arbitration salaries, as explained in this series of posts. We've heard from many MLB teams and agencies that reference the projections in their work. Here’s a link to every player’s projected salary and you can also click here to download an Excel spreadsheet with the projections. Now for the team by team previews…

AL East

• Red Sox
• Yankees
• Rays
• Orioles
• Blue Jays

AL Central

• Indians
• Royals
• White Sox
• Twins
• Tigers

AL West

• Mariners
• Astros
• Rangers
• Angels
• Athletics

NL East

• Braves
• Nationals
• Mets
• Phillies
• Marlins

NL Central

• Cubs
• Cardinals
• Brewers
• Pirates
• Reds

NL West

• Dodgers
• Giants
• Padres
• Diamondbacks
• Rockies

• First time: Scott Atchison ($800K)
• Second time: Andrew Bailey ($3.9MM), Alfredo Aceves ($2.6MM), Daniel Bard ($1.6MM), Andrew Miller ($1.4MM), Franklin Morales ($1.4MM)
• Third time: Jacoby Ellsbury ($8.1MM), Jarrod Saltalamacchia ($3.9MM), Craig Breslow ($2.4MM), Ryan Sweeney ($1.8MM), Rich Hill ($1.1MM)

Jacoby Ellsbury and many of Boston's relievers will head to arbitration this coming offseason. The Red Sox have a large class of players that includes a number of non-tender candidates.

Relievers Atchison, Hill and Aceves could all be non-tendered. Hill and Atchison dealt with elbow injuries this past season. The health of Atchison's pitching elbow remains in question, and Hill might not be viewed as a $1MM player after spending so much of the 2012 season on the disabled list. Aceves projects to earn $2.6MM thanks to his lofty saves total, but he could also be non-tendered.

Sweeney made three trips to the disabled list last season and didn't hit particularly well when healthy. Depending on what the Red Sox do to address their outfield this month, he could also lose his roster spot.

The remainder of the team's arbitration class includes four relievers in line for modest raises or no raises at all. Bard spent much of the 2012 season in the minor leagues, so his projected salary sits at $1.6MM. Bailey also missed most of the season, which means he projects to earn $3.9MM again. Meanwhile, Breslow should jump from $1.8MM to $2.4MM and Miller should obtain a modest raise to $1.4MM or so.

Ellsbury, Boston's best-paid arbitration eligible player and one of the top earning arb eligible players in MLB, projects to obtain a token raise to $8.1MM. His arbitration case won't be nearly as interesting as it was a year ago, when he obtained a substantial raise. The question remains: will the Red Sox pursue an extension with Ellsbury, settle for a one-year deal, or trade him?

Finally, Saltalamacchia and Morales will see their salaries jump following productive seasons at the MLB level. It's possible another team will be responsible for Saltalamacchia's case, as he appears to be a trade candidate.

If the Red Sox tender contracts to everyone but Atchison, Hill, Aceves and Sweeney, they’ll have committed  approximately $22.7MM to seven players for 2013.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors. To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.

• First time: Neftali Feliz ($3.1MM)
• Second time: Matt Harrison ($6.1MM)
• Third time: David Murphy ($5.6MM), Geovany Soto ($4.6MM)

The Rangers’ class of arbitration eligible players includes three major contributors and one player likely to be non-tendered.

Soto, the club’s lone non-tender candidate, struggled at the plate in Chicago then hit poorly after joining the Rangers. With a projected salary of $4.6MM, he’s expected to be cut loose by the end of the month. Back in August I looked at Soto’s case in detail, suggesting a non-tender was likely.

Feliz's salary is fairly difficult to project because of his recent role change and injury. The 24-year-old right-hander spent most of his career as a reliever, and MLBTR projects a $3.1MM salary based mostly on his relief work. Feliz, who underwent Tommy John surgery in August, will certainly be tendered a contract even though he’s expected to miss most of next season.

Harrison and Murphy both project to earn salaries in the $6MM range. Perhaps the Rangers will explore a possible extension with Harrison in order prolong his stay in Texas beyond 2014. Murphy could also be an extension candidate following a particularly productive season.

Assuming the Rangers tender contracts to Feliz, Harrison and Murphy, they’ll have committed roughly $14.8MM to three players in 2013.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors. To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.

• First time: Doug Fister ($3.8MM), Austin Jackson ($3.1MM), Alex Avila ($2.5MM), Brennan Boesch ($2.1MM)
• Second time: Max Scherzer ($7.5MM), Rick Porcello ($4.7MM), Phil Coke ($1.7MM)
• Third time: Ryan Raburn ($2.1MM)

Many of the Tigers’ top players are headed to arbitration this offseason. The team has a large, expensive class that could shrink if a pair of players are non-tendered.

Three fifths of the Tigers’ rotation heads to arbitration this offseason, and while Fister and Scherzer are extension candidates, Porcello could be traded if the Tigers sign a free agent starter. Fister trails Scherzer by one year in the arbitration process and will end up earning about as much in 2013 as Scherzer did in 2012. Despite their different styles of pitching they’re actually reasonable comps in terms of innings, starts, wins and ERA. If the Tigers extend Fister he’d figure to obtain a deal of at least four years and $30MM. 

It might be more challenging to extend Scherzer. Not only is he a Scott Boras client, he’s one year closer to free agency, and impact starters are always in high demand. Jackson, another Boras client, might also appeal to the Tigers as a long-term answer in center field. 

The circumstances surrounding Detroit’s final extension candidate are unique. Alex Avila’s father, Al Avila, works in the Detroit front office as the team’s assistant GM. As MLBTR’s Extension Tracker shows, most recent extensions for catchers with three-plus years of service end up in the $8-16MM range.

Coke rounds out the Tigers’ arbitration class along with two non-tender candidates. Both Raburn and Boesch struggled at the plate this past season after showing offensive promise earlier in their careers. They could both be non-tendered given their projected salaries in the $2MM range.

If the Tigers tender contracts to Fister, Jackson, Avila, Scherzer, Porcello and Coke, they'll be facing an estimated total of $23.3MM for six players.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors. To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.

• First time: Gordon Beckham ($3.1MM), Alejandro De Aza ($1.7MM), Dan Johnson ($1.2MM), Philip Humber ($1.1MM)

Chicago’s class of arbitration eligible players consists of four first timers, two of whom project as non-tender candidates.

Humber’s season began with a perfect game, but it could end with a non-tender. He projects to earn more than $1MM and could be released given his 2012 production. Not only did he miss time with a strained elbow, he struggled for much of the season and finished the year with a 6.44 ERA and 23 home runs allowed in 102 innings.

Johnson appeared in 14 games with the White Sox once rosters expanded in September, but he doesn't appear to have a significant role on next year's White Sox team. He, too, could lose his roster spot on or before the November 30th deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players.

Beckham has been a fixture in Chicago's lineup since 2009, and he has some power, so he projects to earn north of $3MM as a first time eligible player. While his 2012 numbers are nothing extraordinary, he has a long track record at the MLB level that will help his case.

De Aza, on the other hand, picked up 60% of his career plate appearances this past season. He doesn't have the career bulk to match Beckham's projected salary, but he'll still earn a substantial raise — expect a salary in the $1.7MM range for the center fielder.

If the White Sox tender contracts to only Beckham and De Aza, they'll be looking at an estimated total just shy of $5MM for the two players. That total could rise if the White Sox choose to retain Johnson and Humber, but even then it won’t climb by much.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors. To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.

• First time: Jayson Nix ($900K), David Herndon ($600K)
• Second time: Brett Gardner ($2.8MM), David Robertson ($2.7MM), Eli Whiteside ($600K)
• Third time: Phil Hughes ($5.7MM), Joba Chamberlain ($1.8MM)
• Fourth time: Boone Logan ($2.8MM)

The Yankees’ class of arbitration eligible players doesn’t feature any prohibitively expensive players, but it’ll still be a relatively expensive group to retain for 2013.

Hughes leads the way with a projected salary of $5.7MM. He won 16 games and completed more than 200 innings (counting postseason play), which helps his case as he goes to arbitration for the third and final time. Two more key members of the pitching staff, Logan and Robertson, project to get raises of approximately $1MM following strong seasons. Logan projects to earn $2.8MM after appearing in 80 games and striking out more than a batter per inning. Robertson won't be far behind after striking out ever more hitters, posting an ERA under 3.00, and collecting a pair of saves.

On the other hand, Gardner and Chamberlain missed too much of the 2012 season to obtain significant raises in 2013. Baseball's collective bargaining agreement prevents the Yankees from drastically cutting the players' salaries through the arbitration process, which means both Gardner and Chamberlain are expected to return on similar salaries in 2013.

Nix appears to be a non-tender candidate, as do recent waiver claims Whiteside and Herndon. Though Nix's versatility adds value, he could be cut loose if the Yankees are hesitant to commit nearly $1MM to a player who adds so little on offense. Whiteside provides depth, but he could also be non-tendered after spending most of the 2012 season in the minor leagues. And Herndon will miss the beginning of the 2013 season to recover from Tommy John surgery, which means his roster spot isn't completely secure.

Assuming the Yankees retain Gardner, Robertson, Hughes, Chamberlain and Logan, they’ll have committed $15.8MM to five eligible players in 2013.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors. To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.

• First time: Cory Wade ($700K), Bobby Wilson ($600K)
• Second time: Colby Rasmus ($4.5MM), J.A. Happ ($3.8MM)

The Blue Jays have a relatively small arbitration class that includes two of the players who project as key contributors in 2013.

One of those players, Rasmus, seemed like an emerging extension candidate when, midway through the season, he had 17 home runs and an .821 OPS. Rasmus' numbers dropped off substantially in the second half and while his season totals of 23 home runs and 75 RBI will lead to a substantial raise in arbitration, the center fielder no longer seems like an definite candidate for a long-term deal. He’ll do reasonably well as a second time eligible player, with a projected salary of $4.5MM.

Happ recovered from a slow start in Toronto to finish in impressive fashion. In six late-season starts he limited walks and home runs while striking out more than a batter per inning. Small sample size warnings apply, but those six starts were a definite positive for a Toronto team in serious need of starting pitching. Though Happ looked like a borderline non-tender candidate immediately after arriving in Toronto, he's now expected to be tendered a contract — expect a salary in the $3.8MM range.

Neither one of the team’s other arbitration eligible players has played as much as one inning for the Blue Jays. GM Alex Anthopoulos claimed Wade and Wilson off of waivers last month and so far they’ve held onto their 40-man roster spots. Wade allowed eight home runs in 39 innings this past season despite a strong strikeout to walk ratio and appears to be a non-tender candidate. Wilson provides the Blue Jays with depth, but it's hard to see a role for him if both J.P. Arencibia and Jeff Mathis are healthy members of the organization at the end of Spring Training. If the Blue Jays need 40-man roster space this month, Wilson’s spot could be threatened. Otherwise, he provides the team with affordable, low-risk depth at a key position.

For a while it appeared this class would be bigger. The Blue Jays lost David Herndon on waivers to the Yankees; Jesse Litsch would have been arbitration eligible again, but he lost his 40-man roster spot; Rajai Davis and the Blue Jays recently agreed to terms on a deal for 2013.

If the Blue Jays tender contracts to all four eligible players, they're looking at an estimated total just shy of $10MM.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors. To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.

• First time: Ryan Webb ($900K)
• Second time: Emilio Bonifacio ($2.5MM)
• Third time: None

Webb came to the Marlins two years ago along with Edward Mujica, in the deal that sent Cameron Maybin to San Diego.  Webb, who turns 27 in February, excels mainly at keeping the ball in the yard.  He's generally hittable and doesn't post great strikeout rates, and spent some time in Triple-A in July.  But at less than a million bucks, I think the Marlins will keep Webb around for 2013, especially having subtracted Heath Bell from their bullpen.

Bonifacio, 28 in April, missed a huge portion of the season due to a torn ligament in his thumb and a knee sprain.  He still managed to steal 30 bases in only 64 games.  Perhaps the Marlins will consider making him the permanent center fielder (he also plays infield) in 2013.  Bonifacio won an arbitration hearing against the Marlins in February, after the team took their standard hardline stance despite a difference of only $250K.

Assuming both players are tendered contracts, the Marlins are looking at an estimated $3.4MM for their arbitration eligibles. 

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors.  To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.  To see projected arbitration salaries for all players, click here.

• First time: Ian Desmond ($3.2MM), Ross Detwiler ($2.2MM), Drew Storen ($1.7MM), Roger Bernadina ($1.1MM), Craig Stammen ($900K)
• Second time: Jordan Zimmermann ($4.9MM), Tyler Clippard ($4.6MM)
• Third time: John Lannan ($5MM), Tom Gorzelanny ($2.8MM)
• Fourth time: Jesus Flores ($1.2MM)     

Lannan projects as the team's most expensive arbitration eligible player even without a raise.  It was a rough year for the 28-year-old, who lost his arbitration case in February, lost the team's fifth starter competition to Detwiler in April, requested a trade, and then remained in the organization to post pedestrian Triple-A numbers for most of his season.  A non-tender should cap off his year, which will at least lead to free agency and a fresh start.

Zimmermann is a mainstay atop the Nats' rotation, as the 26-year-old posted his best season with 195 2/3 innings of 2.94 ball in the regular season.  Comparables remain light among those with three to four years of big league service, especially since Zimmermann was a Super Two.  Perhaps a new extension comp will emerge among Max Scherzer, Matt Harrison, and Homer Bailey.  If not, I could picture $45MM over five years (two of them free agent seasons) for Zimmermann.  Detwiler, the team's first overall pick in the 2007 draft, did solid work at the back end of the Nationals' rotation prior to his first arbitration year.

The Nationals have four arbitration eligible relievers in Clippard, Storen, Gorzelanny, and Stammen.  When an elbow injury sidelined Storen in Spring Training, Clippard was initially denied a shot at closing in favor of Henry Rodriguez and Brad Lidge.  A larger committee took hold by late May, after which Clippard took hold of the job.  Storen was activated on July 19th, but Clippard still picked up 17 saves after that point and finished with 32.  The situation helped Clippard financially, as nothing earns bigger bucks for a reliever than saves.  As reliever salaries continue to rise, Clippard is still a good value at under $5MM.  Meanwhile, the abbreviated campaign and small saves total cost Storen some bucks in advance of his first arbitration year.  Gorzelanny and Stammen both had solid years and should also be retained.

Flores seemed like a trade candidate a year ago, but he received decent playing time in 2012 after starting catcher Wilson Ramos went down.  Flores didn't do much with his audition, and now Kurt Suzuki is projected to split time with Ramos in 2013.  A trade or non-tender is in Flores' future; like Lannan, he'll welcome the change of scenery.  Bernadina had a very strong season as a much-needed utility outfielder, and he'll be retained.

The Nationals' patience with Desmond paid off, as the shortstop had a breakthrough age 26 season.  Desmond played well in a sabermetric sense, but also had the surface numbers that pay well in arbitration (batting average, home runs, RBI, steals).  Since 2013 is his first arbitration year, he'll remain affordable at around $3.2MM.  The Nationals had preliminary extension talks with Desmond during the season, which will likely be rekindled soon.  Alexei Ramirez's $32.5MM extension with the White Sox could be a point of reference.

Assuming everyone except Lannan and Flores are retained, the Nationals are looking at an estimated $21.4MM for eight arbitration eligible players.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors.  To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.  To see projected arbitration salaries for all players, click here.

• First time: Buster Posey ($5.9MM), Gregor Blanco ($1.3MM), Joaquin Arias ($800K), Emmanuel Burriss ($600K)
• Second time: Sergio Romo ($3.6MM), Jose Mijares ($1.6MM)
• Third time: Brian Wilson ($8.5MM), Santiago Casilla ($5.4MM), Clay Hensley ($1.3MM)
• Fourth time: Hunter Pence ($13.8MM)     

Wilson represents a high-profile non-tender candidate for the World Champions.  The closer, 31 in March, had Tommy John surgery in April.  Though he missed most of the 2012 season, a salary decrease is unlikely, hence the $8.5MM figure.  It'd be a large commitment for a reliever coming off major elbow surgery, even if Wilson manages to beat the typical one-year recovery and be ready for Opening Day.  The Giants would still have Romo, Casilla, and Javier Lopez in next year's bullpen, though if they cut Wilson and lose Jeremy Affeldt via free agency they might feel compelled to make an addition. 

Casilla, and especially Romo, make for a formidable pair at the back end of the bullpen.  The Giants also have arbitration eligible relievers in Mijares and Hensley.  Mijares was solid following the Giants' August waiver claim, while Hensley is a non-tender candidate.

The Giants have a few utility types up for arbitration in Blanco, Arias, and Burriss.  Blanco and Arias seem safe, while Burriss was on and off the team's 40-man roster in 2012 and will be let go.

In Pence, the Giants have the most expensive arbitration eligible player in all of baseball.  A former Super Two, the right fielder took a larger-than-usual salary leap by winning his 2011 arbitration case.  For some reason, the Astros and Phillies never hammered out an extension with Pence and he's continued going year-to-year.  He was a trade deadline acquisition for the Giants, and unlike his Phillies' post-deadline stint in '11, Pence struggled.  The Giants don't seem to be considering non-tendering him; instead they'll hope for a return to career levels in 2013. 

Posey was the NL's Comeback Player of the Year after missing most of 2011 due to a major ankle injury.  He's also an MVP candidate, an award that would further boost his arbitration salary.  We don't project Posey to sniff Ryan Howard's first-time arbitration record of $10MM, but the Super Two backstop will set a first-time record for catchers and would get expensive in a hurry going year-to-year.  Carlos Gonzalez signed the biggest extension for a player with less than three years service, a seven-year, $80MM deal.  Since he's a Super Two player, Posey would deserve about that much on a six-year contract.  However, Posey's agents at CAA Sports could have a $100MM+ deal in their sights, assuming an extension is on the table for both parties.

Assuming the Giants tender contracts to only Posey, Casilla, Romo, Mijares, Blanco, and Arias, they're looking at an estimated $18.6MM for six arbitration eligible players.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors.  To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.

• First time: Brandon Moss ($1.4MM), Jerry Blevins ($1MM)
• Second time: Seth Smith ($3.3MM), George Kottaras ($1.1MM), Daric Barton ($1.1MM), Adam Rosales ($700K)
• Third time: Pat Neshek ($900K)     

The A's have a pair of arbitration eligible relievers in Blevins and Neshek.  The A's have deemed Blevins expendable in the past, but he continues to shut down southpaws and will be retained this winter.  Neshek, who has the opposite split, has bounced around in recent years.  He dominated for the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate this year before his trade to Oakland, after which he posted a couple of solid months with the big club.  Those two months may allow him to keep his 40-man roster spot, but it's not a lock.

Kottaras was designated for assignment by the Brewers in July before the A's acquired him.  The 29-year-old has good pop and should stick around as Derek Norris' backup.  Barton, the former first-round pick who led the American League in walks in 2010, was tendered a contract by the A's a year ago and began 2012 on the DL recovering from shoulder surgery.  Upon his activation Barton regained his starting job at first base, but by June he was optioned to Triple-A.  Barton wouldn't really receive a raise, but the A's have better options at first in Moss and Chris Carter.  It might make sense for a team like Boston to acquire him on the cheap.  Rosales, 29, was an up-and-down guy this year, and the A's could cut him for the roster spot.

Moss, 29, was a cheap offseason pickup by the A's who went on to hit 21 home runs in just 296 plate appearances.  He's got a big role on next year's club.  Smith wasn't spectacular, but he did his job against right-handed pitching (.259/.352/.454) and will also be tendered a contract.  He could be trade bait given the team's crowded outfield picture, though he spent a chunk of time at designated hitter this year.    

Assuming Smith, Moss, Kottaras, Blevins, and Neshek are tendered contracts, the A's are looking at an estimated $7.7MM for five arbitration eligible players.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors.  To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.

• First time: Tommy Hanson ($4MM), Jason Heyward ($3.5MM), Kris Medlen ($2MM), Jonny Venters ($1.4MM), Cristhian Martinez ($700K)
• Second time: Paul Janish ($900K)
• Third time: Martin Prado ($7.7MM), Jair Jurrjens ($5.5MM), Eric O'Flaherty ($3.8MM), Peter Moylan ($800K)

Let's begin with the Braves' three arbitration eligible starting pitchers.  Jurrjens, 27 in January, spent the 2011-12 offseason immersed in trade rumors and was demoted to Triple-A four starts into this season.  He rejoined the club in June, and after six more starts was moved to a relief role.  A DL stint for a groin strain capped off the lost season and his Braves career.  Most expect Jurrjens to be non-tendered at the end of the month.  It's worth noting that if there is a team that valued Ervin Santana at $12MM, there might be one that values Jurrjens at less than half that salary.

Jurrjens' move to the bullpen was tied to Medlen's promotion to the rotation.  The 27-year-old was ridiculously good in 12 starts, posting a 0.97 ERA, 9.0 K/9, 1.1 BB/9, and 0.54 HR/9.  He'd undergone Tommy John surgery in August 2010, and initially returned to the Majors in a relief role.  Medlen was so good as a starter that the Braves lined him up to start their play-in game against the Cardinals.  If the Braves are sold, they could consider locking Medlen up to a Johnny Cueto-type contract, four years and $27-30MM plus a club option.

Hanson, 26, pitched better than his 4.48 ERA but allowed a lot of hits and home runs in a disappointing campaign.  The team's Opening Day starter, he missed some time with a back strain this season and his average fastball velocity fell below 90 miles per hour for the first season in his career.  He still managed a healthy strikeout rate at 8.3 per nine innings.  The Braves were unable to dump Jurrjens before his value tanked; now they must assess Hanson's value for the next three seasons and determine a course of action.  In the short-term, he'll obviously be tendered a contract.

Prado had a strong year primarily as the team's left fielder, providing value on both offense and defense.  It seems likely the 29-year-old will move to third base for 2013, with Chipper Jones retiring.  Prado is entering his walk year, and the Braves could try to lock him up in the range of Howie Kendrick's four-year, $33.5MM contract.

Heyward is arbitration eligible for the first time, fresh off the best season of his young career.  Nick Markakis' six-year, $66.1MM extension would be a solid target, though that deal was done nearly four years ago so the Braves may have to do better.  Janish began the season at Triple-A in the Reds' organization, missed a month with a broken wrist, and was dealt to Atlanta in mid-July.  His season ended in September with a dislocated shoulder, and he's a non-tender candidate.

In the bullpen, O'Flaherty, Venters, and Martinez are in good standing.  O'Flaherty, 28 in February, is entering a contract year.  The Braves could look to tack on a free agent year.  Moylan had shoulder surgery in September 2011 and signed a minor league deal to return to the Braves in January.  He wouldn't cost a lot through arbitration, but is a candidate to be non-tendered if the Braves would prefer to have the roster spot open for now.

If only Prado, Hanson, O'Flaherty, Heyward, Medlen, Venters, and Martinez are tendered contracts, the Braves are looking at an estimated $23.1MM for seven players.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors.  To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.

• First time: David Freese ($2.6MM), Mitchell Boggs ($1.3MM), Marc Rzepczynski ($900K)
• Second time: Jason Motte ($4.7MM)
• Third time: Edward Mujica ($3.2MM), Kyle McClellan ($2.4MM)

With Motte, Mujica, Boggs, Rzepczynski, and McClellan, the majority of the Cardinals' arbitration cases are relievers.  In his first full year as the Cardinals' closer, Motte racked up an impressive 42 saves with strong peripheral numbers.  The 30-year-old is under team control through 2014, and the Cardinals could reduce the cost and add a free agent year or two with an extension.  The three-year, $20MM extension signed by Carlos Marmol after the 2010 season could be a model.

Mujica came to the Cardinals at the trade deadline and allowed just three runs in 26 1/3 regular season innings.  With 30 holds this year, he's in line for a handsome raise.  Boggs posted 34 holds, and will top $1MM as a first-timer.  Rzepczynski slipped this year, but figures to be retained affordably.  McClellan spent most of the year on the disabled list, requiring shoulder surgery in July.  Earlier this month, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch wrote that McClellan will throw for the entire month of November, which will give the Cardinals a chance to evaluate him before deciding whether to tender a contract.  Langosch expects McClellan to be non-tendered, but with the door open for a new contract.

Freese, 29, made the All-Star team this year and ultimately posted career highs in games played (144 in the regular season) and thus all relevant counting stats.  Last year's postseason heroics won't hurt at the arbitration table, either.  Is it too early to consider extending Freese, a Wildwood, Missouri native?  Freese's injuries this year were numerous but minor, though you hate to see any kind of ankle concerns still cropping up.  I think the Cards would be best-served to let 2013 play out before seriously talking extension.

Assuming everyone is tendered a contract aside from McClellan, the Cardinals are looking at a projected $12.7MM for five arbitration eligible players.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors.  To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.

• First time: Antonio Bastardo ($1.1MM), Kevin Frandsen ($800K)
• Second time: Nate Schierholtz ($1.6MM)
• Third time: None

Bastardo's high strikeout/walk/flyball rate formula was less effective for him on the surface this year, given the significant increase in his ERA.  43 holds over the past two seasons should still enable him to exceed $1MM as a first-timer.  Frandsen had a nice campaign in 210 plate appearances, and has probably earned a spot on next year's team.

Schierholtz, 28, came to the Phillies in their trade deadline Hunter Pence deal but totaled only 73 plate appearances for his new club.  He missed time with a broken toe, and is a non-tender candidate.

Assuming Bastardo and Frandsen are tendered contracts, the Phillies are looking at an estimated $1.9MM for two arbitration eligible players.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors.  To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.