In 2015, salaries for arbitration-eligible players reached $1 billion. As a result, the process effects a team’s roster construction. Last season, the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to one-year contracts with six arbitration-eligibles. In addition, Arizona avoided arbitration with A.J. Pollock when the two parties agreed to a two-year extension.
After recording three years of MLB service time, players become eligible for salary increases above the major-league minimum. This off-season, nine Diamondbacks qualified.
Based on performance, some players are rewarded with large contracts, and others realze minimal increases. Last October, MLB Trade Rumors identified some general guidelines.