7:40pm: Edman is guaranteed $16.5MM, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (X link).
3:30pm: The Cardinals and utility player Tommy Edman have avoided arbitration by signing a two-year deal, per a club announcement. Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported on the agreement prior to the club making it official. The financials of the deal have not yet been publicly reported. Edman was one of 22 players who didn’t agree to a salary before the filing deadline, though he’s now the third of that group to subsequently ink a new pact, joining Cionel Pérez of the Orioles and Casey Mize of the Tigers.
Edman, 29 in May, first qualified for arbitration a year ago and made $4.2MM in 2023. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected him for a raise to $6.5MM this year. As mentioned, he and the club didn’t agree on a new salary by the filing deadline, with Edman filing at $6.95MM and the club at $6.5MM. They would have been slated for a hearing in the weeks to come but have instead agreed to a deal that will cover his 2024 and 2025 seasons, buying out his final two arb years. Edman will be slated for free agency after this deal runs its course.
Like many clubs, the Cards are a “file-and-trial” team, meaning they choose not to continue negotiations on one-year deals after the filing deadline even though such talks are allowed. Last week, Edman said he hadn’t yet heard anything about a multi-year deal but expected talks to occur before the hearing. It appears those talks did end up taking place and were fruitful enough to avoid a hearing, as well preventing Edman from having to worry about arbitration at all next winter.
Over his career, Edman has moved all over the diamond, having played all three outfield positions and the three infield spots to the left of first base, receiving strong grades for his glovework wherever he goes. He has hit .265/.319/.408 in his career, leading to a 99 wRC+, which indicates he’s been a hair below league average. He has stolen 106 bases in 123 tries. FanGraphs considers him to have provided 15.3 wins above replacement in 596 career games.
In 2024, it’s expected that he will be the center fielder on a regular basis, with Lars Nootbaar and Jordan Walker likely to be flanking him most of the time. However, Edman also spent significant time at shortstop last year. The club is hoping Masyn Winn will take over the shortstop job going forward, but he’s not yet 22 years old and hit .172/.230/.238 in his first 137 major league plate appearances. It’s also possible an injury will create the need for Edman to move somewhere else, with Nootbaar or Dylan Carlson perhaps taking over in center.
Edman underwent arthroscopic wrist surgery in October and it still rehabbing from that procedure. As of last week, he hadn’t yet been cleared to make contact when swinging a bat but was “very confident” that he would be ready for the start of the season.
Good deal, no more arbitration with Edman.
We will see how much it’s for. Maybe 15 million?
You have multiple id’s and spend your time making a fool of yourself. Bother someone else.
What?
It seems that this guy is some kind of a troll. Kind of an odd coincidence we have similar names and he’s talking about meth use in another post.
My reply was nothing except baseball.
I think they’re talking to the other black pink. the one with the space in the name
Yeah perhaps
I don’t know what’s going on
My reply was definitely to the other one. He had a different id yesterday. He’s a weirdo with multiple ids for trolling.
By “weirdo” you mean loser right?
Yeah, that troll with a gap between the black and the pink has tainted these boards!!
DC, MLBTR’s cleaned house here last night. They’ll get these 2 off here pretty quick. Everyone is completely fed up with it.
Trumbo, look down below a few comments. He responded to his own post and forgot to change his account name when doing so. Looks like it is the same person…..
Clip, yeah I’ve unfortunately been seeing that crap from him on here all day. I’m at a loss. Just sucks we have to see it on every post everyday now. Burns you out having to skim through that crap.
Your user name was different yesterday. Why is that?
Efff offfff nasty lil troll!
Go breed with your Mommy some more! Little degenerate sicko!
Cost certainty also makes him easier to trade if they are still listening to offers
Edman is the starting center fielder on opening day barring injury. Perhaps mid season when Saggese and Scott are ready to play he will be traded but no sooner.
Edman should be playing his Gold Glove position at second base!! Speedster Scott II should come out of Spring Training in center.
Gorman is the one who needs to be on the package deal trading block for starting pitching!!!!!
I have have been suggesting it for weeks. Nothing against Gorman he has pop, but the Cards don’t really need him.
I don’t see them trading him unless they’re blown away by an offer, honestly. At this stage he seems too important to the structure of their team. He and Donovan are two important cogs in the Cardinal wheel.
Now I know that you really are the same person because there is no way that the moment a new name is created another one is made the exact same by a different person on the same day that it was made I think that you have alternate personality disorder you might want to go see a psychiatrist about that one of your personality seems to be a level-headed baseball fan while the other one and obnoxious troll
Have you considered that this person saw my name and then created one that looks like it and is now trolling?
Because that’s what’s happening here.
Exactly. They are players who win games!
@yc
i completely agree both tommy and don are very important members of the cards, other than there versatility they are also leaders and unselfish players willing to do anything to win. proven guys like that are we hard to move because they impact more than a stats sheet
Hey, Brodie! I hope you’re doing well, man. Good to see you in here.
Yeah, I agree. Those two are great players for any team, and their value exceeds their stat page.
Yes with both Donovan and Edman you have 2 guys that can play just about anywhere and play well. That’s very valuable because players get hurt and when they do you need versatility. Edmans best position is probably 2b but he can play a quality shortstop and center.
Exactly!
Or another scenario which I hope is not the case, is Wynn struggles again offensively and Edman moves to short and Scott gets called up to play center.
I really don’t want that scenario to become a reality, but it’s a good backup plan.
leave this site please
leave this site please!
You were banned for a reason yesterday. Leave!
You were banned for a reason yesterday. Leave!!
Please noooooo!
This was supposed to be a response to trade suggestions.
His break out year was his rookie year
I was hoping for more
High level defense in multiple positions is his real value.
The next Kolten Wong?
Curly, who do you think you are? Oliver Twist!!!??
I don’t understand the point of a deadline if players and teams can still avoid arbitration afterwards.
Because they have to give terms so if they don’t then that’s the numbers
It’s an administrative deadline, effectively. Like, you can have trial scheduled and deadlines for papers to be filed, etc. but you could reach a settlement at any time.
Edman? The way the Cardinals offseason is going I expected the next signing to be Pete Kozma or Allen Craig.
Edman, not Edmonds
Yeehah! One of MLB’s best players will be a Card for awhile! Yes I am prejudiced, because he is my favorite, but he is the “Glue.” The question now arises as to where is he going to play? Since I also believe Victor Scott is going to start in CF, that will move Edman, again. Winn will be given a long leash at SS, that moves Edman to 2nd base, his best position. So now, the DH spot falls to, Gorman, Donovan, or Burleson. Donovan is the superior player. So trade Gorman! He should bring back a quality starter. I have nothing against Gorman, but I also don’t see him getting AB’s before Donovan. Against lefties, I could see Carlson or a catcher DHing. Congrats Tommy, and good luck on that wrist!
One of MLB’s best players is pushing it wayyyyy to much. He’s not even a top 5 second baseman…
He does alot of of things that win games, but goes unnoticed. Baseball is complicated, and difficult to quantify. Those who appreciate the little things that don’t always show in the box scores, know just how special he is.
Your still pushing it by saying he is one of the best players…
I’d definitely round out my top 5 second basemen with tommy edman, but he’s not a second baseman he’s a super utility guy who can play anywhere on the field and that’s a hell of a lot more valuable than a second baseman.
They need to fill out the positions and keep Edman as a utility player. His defense and effort are outstanding. His plate appearances are tough to watch sometimes. He needs to work more counts and see more pitches, especially with men on base as he is terrible with risp.
He needs to be exclusively a utility guy. His greatest value is defensive versatility so why stick him with one position? I am a fan of his as an overall player but his at bats are often hard to watch, especially with anyone on base. As a slap hitter he needs to see more pitches and extend at bats to at least be a tough out.
Th Cards need to trade Edman while he has value. He has no future with the Cards past 2024. He doesn’t have the arm for centerfield and it may not be in the stats but teams go first to 3rd on singles to center all the time against Tommy E. as compared to Carlson or Nootbaar. Victor Scott is coming this year or next year and he is a gold glove CF with more speed. Edman has put up good DRS is center because he is also fast and gets good reads on balls, but he will continue to get injured and runners will take extra bases on his arm. Gorman is a 30-40 HR player with a full season and will not and should not be traded. Donovan is more valuable than Edman and with more control. With Marmol having too many options again he will f-up all continuity again and get the least possible out of this team by not settling into a more permanent lineup.
This is all my opinion as a die hard fan who used to coach baseball and think like a Manager. I’m still a little old school with eye test but I watch every damn game. Last year with much disgust for our Manager. He has no idea what he is doing. This will be his last year as Manager and he may not last past July.
Sorry, I am using my iPhone and I don’t know why it duplicates itself and double post.
“he will continue to get injured” OK Nostradamas. Edman is a second baseman, who has valiantly moved positions for the good of the team. He should be the Red Birds second baseman for this season, and years to come. Victor Scott is their CF. This year and probably for a good while. Donovan, can be the DH, and fill-in. Hard to see how Gorman will get many ABs. Power is over-rated! Especially if it is your only real asset. It does not win more games. Pleases fans though.
As much as I hate watching three true outcome baseball, teams have proven over and over and over again in the last ten years that power is NOT overrated and players like Gorman are needed to win in October. If Victor Scott is up, it would make a lot more sense to trade Edman, unless he’s willing to fill a bench utility role. That’s a lot of money for a guy to not start though.
Always appreciate your input but this time I disagree. Power can be important, but at what price? The Cards roll out a fairly powerful line-up without Gorman. My point is simply, what roster gives the Cards the best chance to win? In order to acquire a Cease-like #2, Gorman would be the necessary piece to move. The RedBirds are flush with middle infielders and Saggese just adds to the logjam. With Scott in center, Edman at second, the defense becomes superb. And with the Cards’ rotation defense will be invaluable. And speed kills. I just believe the speed and defense will give them a better chance at the division.
There’s zero chance the Cardinals trade Gorman to make room for Victor Scott, who has yet to play above AA. Scott’s going to be at AAA to start the year. Not to mention that Gorman’s ceiling is infinitely higher than Scott’s and is a much more valuable player, Cardinals would be very stupid to trade him this early in his career.
Coming off a 6.3 rWAR 2022 season Edman only scooped $4.2m in 2023 in his first arb year?
Odd…
they only seem to care about the bat in arbitration
I was a little surprised that Edman has racked up 17.1 bWAR in about 600 games, including 6.3 in 2022. This guy really does fly under the radar. I can see why the Cards wanted to lock down the dollars for a couple more years.
The drop to 2.1 bWAR in 2023 is mildly concerning, but it’s not like St. Louis is handing out a ten-year deal. They’re also locking in the dollars for the walk year, when Edman will really be motivated to maximize his performance due to the prospect of free agency.
The arb hearings are dropping like flies. We’re now down to 19 possible arbitration trials. My guess is that the actual number will land in single digits.
Speaking of single digits, this arb story from MLBTR only used the dreaded “file and trial” phrase once. We’re making progress in retiring the trite rhyme. Yay!
@CaseyAbell Well said. I favor censorship in only one instance: “Flip the scrip(t).”
I am glad they was able to come to an agreement! Edman May have had a little down year last Season but what Cardinal didn’t plus it didn’t help they kept switching his position! He plays hard and gives % every play! Scott should be ready to take over CF by then! Come on Cardinals we still need some bullpen help and hopefully a trade for a #2 SP!!!
Seems like Matt Moore is the obvious choice! A lefty who should be in their price range. Then move Gorman, Baker, Hence and Burleson or Carlson in a package for Cease or Bieber. I don’t see how the White Sox or Guardians could say no?
Totally agree Moore would be solid fit! I would hate to give up Gorman but I know to get Cease they would probably have to.
@Cardinals Fan 13 Not really a down year as a repeat of 2020-2021, and because he played 2B less, making his competition for WAR a little stronger in 2023 than it was in 2021—those two years were essentially the same except for the 20 games he missed in the former, which should only account for a drop of 0.4 WAR and 12.5% in counting stats what with the OPS+ being identical in essentially the same parks.
Yeah, those positional adjustments got him in 2023, along with the drop in games played. Edman probably wasn’t as good as WAR made him look in 2022, and he probably wasn’t as (relatively) bad as the stat made him look in 2023. So the big drop is not such a big deal.
A little more concerning is the wrist issue, which could cut into his offense. Wouldn’t be surprised to see some effect from the surgery and rehab, at least in the early part of the 2024 season.
Thanks for informing me on that it makes sense!
Big hit Tommy
Highly versatile, with above average defense at each position.
Invaluable.
Redbirds treading water. Get rid of divisions.
Two more years of hearing Cards fans conjure up ridiculous trades for Edman
Why was Nootbaar worth 3.3 WAR, and Jordan Walker was worth -.01? There stats are extremely similar, in terms of ABs, OPS, and overall production. No way fielding makes up that much ground…
I take it you didn’t watch the games.
Nootbaar is an excellent defender. Walker one of the worst defenders in baseball.
Nootbaar is a solid defender but has issues going backwards after a ball. So, I wouldn’t call him excellent yet. Carlson is a better fielder than Nootbaar, but Nootbaar is a better on base machine with some power. Walker is learning the position on the job with the world watching. Probably brought up too soon by making the team out of spring training. Then sending him down after a good hitting start to the season, but to his credit he handled the demotion like a pro. The secret weapon has been working with him all winter and JW is so athletic he will be an asset in the outfield eventually with his speed and above average arm strength.
Says who? Speed and defense and versatility are difficult to appreciate. If you are going on WAR as your only judgment of a player’s real value you have a lot to learn.
Plus the positional adjustment for a center fielder as opposed to a corner outfielder. Those adjustments have always been controversial. I vaguely remember a Bill James rant about them years ago.
Still, Walker was all-world bad as a defensive outfielder. Maybe he’ll improve but he’s got a long way to go before he’s even passable out there.
He was passable by the end of last season. i bet he will be even better this year. has tools. just needs reps
Walker racked up -2.1 bWAR on defense, which is actually pretty hard to do. To put it kindly, his fielding was a work in progress throughout the season. At least there’s not much chance that he’ll get worse.
Love Edman. Could be T5 at a few different positions if he played in one spot all year. Always felt like he is one guy that would have fit in many different eras. Hoping the wrist surgery doesn’t slow him down at all.
I am glad that the arbitration process was avoided. They can harbor bad feelings afterwards. We will need his wrist to heal now and be ready to play all over the field.
Cards fans were hoping for a 3-4 yr deal where 1-2 years of FA were bought out. This hopefully opens the door for an extension to keep Tommy around.
Great, cause Tummy Edman is a salad player for the cartels!
That sounds way too high. He is not the kind of homerun/RBI guy who would make much via arb.
Seems like a strange move by the Cards. It’s not clear what’s in it for them. They already had him under control for next year and the effective $10M for next year is pretty much a best-case (for Edman) scenario for Edmans would-be arb salary next year.
Weird.
He was already “locked up” through 2025. That’s how arbitration works for a player until they hit 6 full years of service time.
Of course, you’re probably just a troll and I’m explaining to the ether.
I hope Tommy plays really good this year