Toronto Blue Jays and Eric Lauer have quite the problem as their salary arbitration filings are far apart

Sportsnet's arbitration tracker says Lauer filed at $5.75 million, while the Blue Jays countered at $4.4 million.That's a $1.35 million spread, big enough to turn quiet negotiations into something formal.

Thursday's exchange deadline usually pushes teams into quick compromises, because arbitration is a cold «pick one number» setup. Sportsnet notes hearings are typically held in February, and talks can continue even after figures are filed.

Toronto did get three deals done, with Daulton Varsho at $10.75 million, Ernie Clement at $4.6 million, and Tyler Heineman at $1.2375 million. Lauer is the lone holdout, which makes the whole thing feel louder than it should.

The Blue Jays also tend to avoid hearings when they can, which is why this one sticks out a bit.It's not panic, but it's a different vibe than «everyone hugged it out.»

Lauer's route here is weird, a 30-year-old lefty who had to claw back into MLB relevance.He signed a minor-league deal, then Toronto selected him on April 30, 2025, and immediately started using him as a Swiss Army arm.

I love a good bargain, and hearings feel like the opposite of that. Still, I can't blame Eric Lauer for taking his best shot in a system built for it.

Spotrac lists Lauer at $5.075 million with Milwaukee in 2023, then $2.2 million with Toronto last season. If you're his agent, you sell that as a clear «back to starter money» climb.

On the field, he went 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 104.2 innings.
FanGraphs also credits him with 28 games and 15 starts, so the swingman label is earned.

Statcast pegs his strikeout rate at 23.9% with a 6.1% walk rate, and those are real arbitration-friendly numbers. His 3.88 xERA gives Toronto a «results were good, but» argument if they want it.

An arbitration room loves comps, so Toronto can frame him as bulk relief and matchup flexibility. Lauer's side will frame him as a starter who delivered wins, volume, and a clean headline ERA.

The funny part is both numbers can be defended without lying to anyone. If the Blue Jays can settle before February, camp opens with baseball talk, and not a salary case file.

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