Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays successfully avoided salary arbitration by signing a one-year contract valued at $28.5 million on January 9, 2025.

This agreement follows Guerrero's record-setting arbitration salary of $19.9 million last year, which exceeded the Blue Jays' offer of $18.05 million.

Guerrero, the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, is set to become a free agent after the World Series.

On the same day, Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros also secured a one-year contract worth $18 million, avoiding arbitration.

In addition, the Boston Red Sox finalized agreements with several arbitration-eligible players, including Tanner Houck and Garrett Crochet, but did not reach an agreement with outfielder Jarren Duran.

As of January 9, 2025, there were 155 players eligible for arbitration, with most expected to finalize agreements before the upcoming hearings.

Hearings for players who do not reach agreements are scheduled to take place between January 27 and February 14, 2025, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Other notable arbitration requests included Nathaniel Lowe, who asked for $11.1 million but was offered $10.3 million, and Michael King, who requested $8.8 million with a counteroffer of $7.325 million.

Among the 17 players exchanging salary proposals, Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs requested the highest amount at $17.5 million, while being offered $15 million.

Historically, players have had a favorable record in arbitration hearings, with a slight improvement last winter, though teams still hold an overall advantage since the process began in 1974.

While all agreements for arbitration-eligible players are guaranteed, the outcomes of panel decisions are not.

Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins are facing challenges with a six-game losing streak, prompting discussions about potential changes to their strategy and lineup.