New York Yankees reliever Mark Leiter Jr. and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana lost their salary arbitration cases on Saturday.
Leiter will earn $2.05 million this season instead of his $2.5 million request. The decision was made by arbitrators Allen Ponak, Robert Herzog, and Scott Buchheit, who heard the case on Friday.
Santana will receive $1.4 million, lower than his $2.1 million request, following a decision from arbitrators Brian Keller, Richard Bloch, and Margaret Brogan, who reviewed his case on Wednesday.
So far, teams have won three of the four arbitration decisions. Right-hander Jovan Oviedo lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates and will earn $850,000. Outfielder Mickey Moniak won against the Los Angeles Angels and will earn $2 million.
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Alex Vesia avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $2.3 million.
Leiter, who turns 34 in March, had a 4-5 record with a 4.50 ERA in 60 relief appearances last season for the Chicago Cubs and Yankees, who acquired him on July 30. He posted a 2-1 record with a 4.98 ERA for the Yankees and made six appearances in the postseason. Leiter’s salary last season was $1.5 million.
In Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against Cleveland, Leiter replaced Clay Holmes in the seventh inning with two on and one out. He retired Jhonkensy Noel on a flyout and struck out Andrés Giménez to preserve a 6-5 lead. Leiter allowed a tying single to David Fry in the eighth, but the Yankees went on to win 8-6, giving him credit for the win.
Leiter also pitched three scoreless innings over four games in the World Series against the Dodgers.
He became the first player to go to arbitration with the Yankees since pitcher Dellin Betances lost his case in 2017.
Santana, 28, posted a 3-1 record with a 3.89 ERA in 62 relief appearances last year for the Yankees and Pirates, who claimed him off waivers on June 11. Santana has a career 11-15 record with a 4.76 ERA in 204 relief appearances and one start over seven seasons with the Dodgers (2018-21), Texas (2021-22), New York Mets (2023), Yankees, and Pirates.
Vesia’s new deal will pay him $2.25 million this year, with a team option for 2026 worth $3.55 million, along with a $50,000 buyout. The option price can increase by $175,000 depending on games played in 2025, with $50,000 added for 60 and 65 games, and $75,000 for 70 games.
Vesia, who was 5-4 with a 1.76 ERA in 67 relief appearances last year, didn’t allow a run in seven postseason appearances for the World Series champions. He had requested $2.35 million and had been offered $2.05 million when the salary exchange took place last month.
Five players are still scheduled for arbitration hearings through February 14, including St. Louis Cardinals outfielder/infielder Brendan Donovan, outfielder Lars Nootbaar, and right-hander Andre Pallante. Washington first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and Angels infielder Luis Rengifo are also set for hearings.
