The Astros and center fielder George Springer have agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $21MM, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. The Excel Sports client had filed for a $22.5MM salary against the Astros’ offer of $17.5MM (as shown in MLBTR’s 2020 Arbitration Tracker), so his deal will check in north of the $20MM midpoint between those two figures.
These days, it’s atypical to see a team and a player settle on a one-year arrangement after figures have been exchanged. Most clubs prefer the so-called “file and trial” approach — essentially halting negotiations on anything other than a multi-year deal once figures have been swapped. That near-universal adoption of that line of thinking has led to an increase in the number of arbitration hearings in recent years, but it seems the organization was willing to discuss one-year parameters with one of its best players.
Of course, this week’s events with the Astros factor into the storyline here. Owner Jim Crane fired president of baseball operations Jeff Luhnow after commissioner Rob Manfred revealed the results of an investigation into the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, and the club is currently operating without a president of baseball operations or general manager. Crane himself even said that he’ll personally be overseeing baseball operations for the time being, so it seems the willingness to compromise in this instance stemmed directly from ownership.
Springer, 30, will head into his final season of club control after posting a .292/.383/.581 slash with a career-high 39 home runs in 2019. Barring an extension, he’ll enter free agency next winter having recently turned 31 and figures to be ranked among the market’s best available free agents.
With Springer’s case now settled, Aledmys Diaz is the Astros’ only unresolved player. He filed for a $2.6MM salary against the team’s $2MM submission.
chazz
that 1.5MM cheater-boy discount
One Bite Hotdog
The skewed performance results and potential arbitration results. Gonna be an expensive group of overachieving players this year.
Just John
An overpay. Springer’s career marks were built on cheating at the plate. His numbers should drop significantly this year. Although, perhaps the overpay is compensation for being booed at EVERY away park for the entire upcoming season and likely beyond. Man it’s gonna suck to play for the Astros this year.
johnrealtime
He had his best year last year without cheating
cysoxsale
riiiiight. Nope, they likely cheated. (Frankly though that’s ok. If you aren’t cheating you aren’t trying)
Just John
Juiced balls.
ctguy
That’s awfully personal
JustCheckingIn
There’s zero proof they stopped in 2019, If anything the opposite, stop being an apologist
johnrealtime
“There’s zero proof they stopped in 2019, If anything the opposite, stop being an apologist”
There’s zero proof that the rest of the league wasn’t similarly cheating either. I find it more plausible that the rest of the teams were doing similar things than that MLB investigated the ‘stros and incorrectly came to the conclusion that the astros stopped their practices during 2018
I’m not a fan of one of the accused teams but I just find this all to be less of a big deal than most mlbtr commentators, in the context of the shrugged-off cheating-filled history of MLB. IMO sign stealing either needs to be completely banned and everyone involved has to be ostracized or we need to not care at all. Some middle ground where it’s ok but only if you use binoculars is kind of ridiculous. I just don’t care
Rudy Zolteck
JuIcEd BaLlS dude we know that, even in terms of wRC+ it was his best year. Without the injury bug he would have been an MVP contender. And the same MLB that convicted them for 2017 cleared them for 2019. Are yall trying to say the MLB is wrong? I don’t get it. Because everyone were pretty satisfied with the 2017 investigation when it concluded that they did.
teufelshunde4
#whataboutism. weak sauce..
johndietz
You idiots should realize Springer had better numbers on the road than at home last year. So saying his numbers are skewed as a result of cheating is ignorant on your parts.
yogineely
It’s also ignorant to think cheaters only cheat at home
chazz
ok “John”
Prospectnvstr
Yeah, they have video monitors installed in every VISITING ballparks centerfield wall linked up to their VISITING clubhouse &/or dugout.
chazz
last I checked they’ve all got replay rooms – keep fighting that good Astros apologist fight tho!
johnrealtime
Are you implying the Astro’s were working with the replay room in other team;s ballparks? I know that when cheating allegations come out people are suspicious of everything, but this is a ridiculous conspiracy thought experiment at best
Rudy Zolteck
Ok and every team has a replay room. That is enough to convict all 30 teams of cheating, by your logic.
Groucho
Dude. Springer is the real deal. Gimme a break.
todd76
I missed the report of Springer being the ringleader of this cheating ring. All I’ve heard mentioned is Beltran the ex Yankee.
JustCheckingIn
Ring leader vs. happy beneficiary really aren’t much different here……………
All of them have suspect numbers at this point
That “OMG HOW DID ALTUVE HIT CHAPMAN!?!?’” From Bregman sure isn’t a surprise anymore. They all gained
joncoley
The signs were very clear for this signing.
twinsfan368
I love how from now on every Astros article in the comments will include like at least 20 of these comments and I love it
jorge78
Loud sigh…..
bobby clementhay
Most five year old kids love it, most adults, not so much. Glad it’s the simple things that make you happy…
Prospectnvstr
How many of you non-hypocritical, hang’em, ban them, strip them judges even THINK to look beyond the headlines? In 2017 the Astros were 53-28 ON THE ROAD. That record was TIED for the BEST in the MLB
JustCheckingIn
You’re really naive or dumb as a brick if you think they couldn’t cheat on the road
Yeah it’s real hard for a bullpen catcher to put his hands on the gate and have an earpiece
Not like you can buy Bluetooth spy gear earpieces for 20 bucks on amazon. Keep telling yourself that bud
They had morals to an extent. What a stupid thought smh
Prospectnvstr
How many men were on the grassy knoll or was it REALLY “ONLY” Lee Harvey Oswald? Jic you are to young to know what/who I’m talking about: Are you really THAT MUCH into conspiracy theories or are you just ANOTHER sheep following the herd?
laswagn
Bet they knew it was coming…{bang}
jorge78
Badda Bing!
homerheins
I didn’t read the report, so can someone tell me whether the Astros continue stealing signs after Cora. I think that says everything because they went to another World Series. No one is doubting these players are talented, but it would be a “sign” if their stats suffered.
JohhnyBets67
Good thing you have google! Get your reading glasses on, fat boy! Time to be productive!
homerheins
Says the guys who didn’t read it, while I study for the bar.
nstale
just remember to finish studying before last call
chocoemo
I believe the report stated they were using the replay room illegally in 2018 but stopped mid season due to them feeling it wasn’t effective. No violations in 2019 however.
jb19
Read the report. Conclusion was that the scheme was ineffective and stopped in early 2018. The outcome of games was more than likely not changed. Home/road splits in 2017 shows that hitting was better on the road… Would be nice to see the MLB look in to all the accusations about other teams. You are naive to think this is “only” two teams in the MLB. Yankees were caught cheating in 2017 and no one is talking about Judge’s great season. Astros don’t bring in the ratings though, so Manfred has to focus on knee capping the smaller market team so the Yankees actually can win a pennant this decade. Cora was made out to look like he’s the only one with this idea. Foolish.
rerogers
exactly.
arc89
Oh please. Not only did they use cans they also used whistles to give hitters hints. i remember hearing those annoying whistles for over the last 5 years. So stop pretending it had 0 outcome in the game. MLB also told all teams they can not complain about the charges not be strict enough. many teams feel Astros got off very lightly. The entire organization was guilty and knew about it. Please don’t bring up judge’s season when he was hurt for half a season. Teams always adjust after rookie year. i am not even a yank fan and find the Judge comment immature.
arc89
Oh please. Not only did they use cans they also used whistles to give hitters hints. i remember hearing those annoying whistles for over the last 5 years. So stop pretending it had 0 outcome in the game. MLB also told all teams they can not complain about the charges not be strict enough. many teams feel Astros got off very lightly. The entire organization was guilty and knew about it. Please don’t bring up judge’s season when he was hurt for half a season. Teams always adjust after rookie year. i am not even a yank fan and find the Judge comment immature.
jorge78
Sensitive!
dejota
Non sequitur!
Prospectnvstr
Repeat yourself often?
arc89
Oh please. Not only did they use cans they also used whistles to give hitters hints. i remember hearing those annoying whistles for over the last 5 years. So stop pretending it had 0 outcome in the game. MLB also told all teams they can not complain about the charges not be strict enough. many teams feel Astros got off very lightly. The entire organization was guilty and knew about it. Please don’t bring up judge’s season when he was hurt for half a season. Teams always adjust after rookie year. i am not even a yank fan and find the Judge comment immature.
jbigz12
3rd times the charm.
arc89
Don’t blame me i only pressed it once. Some type of error in the website.
dejota
Based on your take the only error I see is your brain.
jorge78
That was my
next
question…..
jorge78
Ouch!
Astros2333
I guess no one ever whistled at a baseball game until the Yankees got paranoid about losing for an entire decade.
arc89
From your comment it shows just how immature you are. If you don’t want to debate or act like a adult there are many sites you can troll and laugh with yourself.
dejota
If you dont want to be treated like a hypocritical pearl clutcher maybe, just maybe, stop acting that way.
Your team is steroid central, were accused of doing THE SAME THING in 2017 and Beltran was there before and after spreading it…well everywhere except your team? Gtfo with that nonsense POV. Youre a hypocrite and expect respect. Good combo to be angry and disappointed constantly. Good luck with that approach.
Old User Name
Judge struck out 208 times in 2017. Nice try on the deflection though. Next time do better.
dejota
If you don’t think Beltran spread this to you guys the past few years you’re a denser than a black hole. It’s all good you’ll get yours soon enough. Also what team was he playing for before bringing it to Houston?
Furthermore you cheated in 2017 with a camera in CF too in case you forgot. But sure tell me all about how much context matters when your team is concerned while you conveniently ignore every piece of context for mine.
Lol you guys are all smug and think you understand but the fools always rush in.
jorge78
Ouch!
Old User Name
Keep me informed on the Yankees investigation. As MLB isn’t actually investigating them, it’s hard to find any news on it.
dejota
Well the latest was Logan Morrison accusing you guys directly and a suspicious press conference from Cora suggestion Beltran helped yall cheat. Google better next time.
Old User Name
LoMo??? Hahahaha!!! I don’t think some unsubstantiated tweet means much but if it makes you feel better…
Russianblue35
Where’s your proof? What camera in centerfield? Lol enjoy your fraud team
dejota
Oh we will enjoy. Just like 15, 17 and 19. Yankees are our b******
Russianblue35
Why don’t you try beating the Yankees without cheating ?
goastros123
Russianblue35, investigation says they didn’t cheat in 2019 and they STILL BEAT THE YANKEES.
jorge78
Thank you!
dejota
They want to be smug which should be the first red flag they don’t have the whole story. At this point the haters are just haters. Anyone with a reasonable take on this realized it’s asinine to focus on just Houston and promptly shut up. The rest is just The Mating Song of the Troll.
What these smug dudes don’t seem to realize is this team was a top 5 offense OF ALL TIME in 2019 without any trash cans. Now those same hitters are extremely motivated to shut the Troll up….we’re going to destroy the league in 2020.
great_gumbino
Hahaha good luck. Astros will not make play offs this year. #trashstros
Phil253
@ denota, there’s going to be consequences for players coming down next. I think you’ll be fielding a AA squad for a good chunk of the season. The Astros have been relevant for maybe 4/5 seasons and you’re already as smug as a patriots fan. Yanks haven’t been to the WS in a decade and you’re hating on them? Trying to deflect like the current presidential administration? You cheated. You won games because of it and a World Series. Get over yourself.
Phil253
Sorry *dejota autocorrect lol
dejota
Dude…Manfred has already said there will be no punishments for players. Because he knows if he did he’s opening pandoras box. But he doesnt see Fiers already has. Wake up mlb fans! This is a MLB problem not an Astros problem.
Also and again, THE YANKEES DID THE SAME EXACT THING IN 2017. So stop.
Russianblue35
The Yankees weren’t caught cheating.
Surly
Excellent post dejota.
Stevesie
If there is any validity to the claim of Astros players wearing buzzers under their uniforms – does Manfred change his tune about player punishments?
worthington
Bang bang George
ForestCobraAL
“figures to be ranked among the market’s best available free agents”
Only if he comes with a trash can and matching bat or a huge walk year with no signs of stolen signs.
mlb1225
That’s the biggest news to come from the Astros this week!
Roger71
Bunch of losers ♂️
boo rad
Did you just sign off as Prince?
jorge78
LOL!
Gary White
Is it just me or does it seem really strange that most everyone, by the time they finish going through arbitration years, are turning 30 or older at which point nobody wants to spend a lot of money because the guy is now in or nearing his decline years? So now they miss out the big contract. Something needs to be done because unless you are that golden unicorn you won’t see clubs wanting to extend you with a large contract..
Aoe3
JD just got ~92mill 4yr contract and be 34 before opening day.
dejota
Cool sample size of 1…
DarkSide830
hey look a comment that isnt a joke
Polish Hammer
Houston Asterisks will just him some of AJs money…
jorge78
Your words didn’t translate well from Polish…..
Rangers29
Why is this coming out now, and not at the arbitration deadline a few days ago?
vtadave
Because they didn’t settle a few days ago.
All American Johnsonville Dogs
Honestly. I’d be a little scared to play the astros this year.
All this off season talk about the scandal players are gonna have a lot of bulletin board material this year to prove fans media wtc wrong about needing to cheat to win.
Any success they have is gonna be attributed to cheating again which will only fuel the players.
Houston could be a dangerous team this year.
Rangers29
yaaayyy…..rangers…
arc89
Also could be the complete opposite. Now they must win with 0 advantage. If a player goes into a slump he will press and make the slump even deeper. I want to see if Altuve can still hit home runs for a such a small ball player.
Rangers29
I do not know where people get the false narrative that Altuve is good cause he cheated, go look at his seasons before 2017. He was not cheating. I will say that I think the juiced ball is what boosted his power in 2019 though (plus launch angle, just look at how he hits it too). Altuve has been an astro since 2010 or 2011, and he still had good seasons before 2017. Look at 2016 when he had an ops of about .928. He is a terrific ballplayer, and a team leader, and he deserves credit for his MVP season. I see no regression from him in 2020.
arc89
Talking about power numbers. He went from a guy who had no power the first 2 years to a guy who can hit 31 home runs for a small guy. His strike out numbers did not increase with a power surge. Usually a player who has a large uptick in power numbers also have a large up tick in strike outs. Because they are guessing at pitches to create the power. So either the sign stealing helped or some type of substance. This could be more proof of sign stealing benefits.
great_gumbino
Aaron Judge deserves it. Period. Cheaters will be tainted for their whole career and I’m not even a Yanks fan
jorge78
Players can
get better
with
experience…..
bobby clementhay
You’ve obviously never heard of Kirby Puckett…
bobby clementhay
Two things: the Yankees had more PED/roid guys than anybody when they won EVERY one of their WS championships since 1996; Logan Morrison named the Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, along with others, in his tweet about “fake news” and cheating teams.
DarkSide830
Altuve was already on the upswing before 2017, and power isnt the most important part of his game anyway.
DarkSide830
LoMo is fake news. he may be right, but he’s just fuming that no one will overpay for him. he complained about having to play in the minors despite not having hit very well in AAA last year.
arc89
The pressure will be on the entire team next year. If their hitting numbers go way down they will get grief about it. that is a lot of pressure to perform well. First month will be their toughest. Bad hitting numbers the first month equals them being questioned.
arc89
The pressure will be on the entire team next year. If their hitting numbers go way down they will get grief about it. that is a lot of pressure to perform well. First month will be their toughest. Bad hitting numbers the first month equals them being questioned.
JayKay
If the league decides to change the ball back to how it was or more so, then Altuve probably doesn’t touch 30 HR’s like he did last year.
Still a productive ballplayer, IMO.
rerogers
It’s amazing how small minded fans can be. Yes, cheating sucks. But, clearly, the fans hoping for a guilty verdict couldn’t be bothered to listen or read the results of the investigation. Instead they stand their ground on blanket cheating all the time and then cry.
No evidence of cheating in 2019. Ineffective results made them stop in 2018. So how does that change Springer’s numbers in 2019? It doesn’t. He’s that good.
canocorn
I will bang on a trash can every time Springer steps in with two strikes, to alert him strike three is coming.
JayKay
Better yet, do it live at the stadium their playing at. That way you can alert security that your interfering with the game in play and be asked to leave.
Sounds like a good deal to me, two for the price of one.
jorge78
Great idea! I hope he
follows through…..
yogineely
Huh?
Rallyshirt
There are hundreds of trash cans at your average major league ballpark today. I’m sure someone will make a YouTube career out of banging as many as possible without getting caught. Something like the Banging Bandit strikes again?
This would be just the beginning for additional security, not to mention those fans who imbibe or even a partake at the game might just turn the obnoxious level a little higher every time an ASTRO is announced.
Kids too might find it hard to resist. This whole legacy is not going to be fixed by a new manager and slogan on a tshirt.
great_gumbino
Clearly an Astros fan
benmac007
If he’s that good then why did he have to cheat? I think that’s the most frustrating part is that guys like him and Altuve and Correa are talented enough not to and they did anyway. Doesn’t matter if none of them do it again, they still did it and sadly it’s what all of them will be remembered most for. And it should affect what they make and how they should be viewed as potential assets to a team
bobby clementhay
How do you know who did or didn’t do it?
DarkSide830
clearly you don’t get why they didnt punish the players. they dont know who did and didnt particpate. for all we know all the players just played along and pretended the whole time.
julyn82001
Cheaters, women beaters, liars, gamblers, and the list goes on and on. For Pete Rose’s sake, children are watching, good parenting or otherwise…
jorge78
Who will think of the CHILDREN!!!!!
Badfinger
At least you didn’t bring up athletes’ salaries this time.
julyn82001
Gee missed to quote them salaries! Anyway, thanks for reminding me.
empirejim
Hinch and Luhnow get fired, Springer gets a raise. MLB is going to regret their lack of punishment for ALL the cheaters.
fenwaystrig
They could have thrown him a curve ball at the hearing, but he would have known it was coming
jorge78
Badda Bing!
Garmo87
Well that was slick as a whistle.
great_gumbino
Astor’s: you are only worth 17.5 bro
Springer: nah I’m worth at least 22.5
Punishment happens and Hinch/GM fired
Astros: whatever we are screwed, will you take 21 bruh?
Springer: Say no more
deweybelongsinthehall
Best way to get positive vibes after the week that’s been.
FishyHalo
He’s a cheater.
I might have to comment this on all the Stros players when their contract decision come up here. I’ll beat that horse until it’s rotting in the ground.
danielking
Springer has said before in interviews that he doesn’t even like to guess or analyze what is coming because it psyches him out — he prefers a ‘see ball, hit ball’ approach. I’m definitely not gonna go look at archived games from 2017 to see if he was signaled regularly at home, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t.
Everyone else talking about Altuve’s power “surge”… His bat stats in 2016 & 2017 are virtually identical across the board, including 24 dingers. Dude came into his 2nd half of 20s man strength. He sustained a knee injury in July 2018 that crushed his approach, so 2018 looks weird. (He had off-season surgery including patella repair, which affects torquing stability.) Recovery affected his approach in 2019… He had knee fatigue & soreness. Recovery affecting approach seems obvious especially early when he was launching but hitting .250
MrAngelFan
@denielking Well Springer is a liar. Here is your proof. Watch at the 3 minute mark.
youtube.com/watch?v=FUkJeko0QGE
loumickeyjeter
Cheaters have no place in baseball. He should have to pay the league to play.
bobby clementhay
Oh look, Mr. “Holier than thou” Yankees fan weighs in! Where were you when ARod, Clemens, Pettitte, Leyritz, Stanton, Knoblauch, Grimsley, Neagle, Villone, Giambi, Velarde, Canseco, Hill, Sheffield, etc. were cheating with their PEDS/Roids?
ctguy
Here we go again. Point the finger at the Yankees. Bad bad Yankees. BooHoo
goastros123
Thank Chapman for throwing a flat slider, which most great hitters would see coming from a mile away, instead of walking Altuve to get to Marisnick.
Rudy Zolteck
Not pointing fingers, we’re pointing out how that organization is not on solid ground to be acting righteous when a team gets caught doing something wrong. Especially when Steinbrenner tried to ruin a guy’s life just because he didn’t like him.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
I don’t see why people are up in arms about him getting this much. It’s up to the Astros, who were behind the cheating, how much they agree to, knowing he likely benefited from cheating. If they want to overpay, that’s their business. I’m more interested to see how their stats are affected when they can’t cheat anymore. It probably won’t be a Brady Anderson-esque decline, but if it costs them, maybe, 5% of their runs, that might be enough of a difference that they don’t win the division this year.
ctguy
I agree. It’s between him and management to agree on what he gets paid.
number1dodger
Everybody on that team knew what was going on. How could you not ask who keeps banging on a trashcan.
Moneyballer
Cheaters ransom.
UhOh!
Discount to help Crane pay the fine for his involvement in the cheating scandal?
canocorn
With all that money, Springer can finally get treatment for those third degree buzzer-burns under his jersey.