Marlins come to terms with López, 5 others

MIAMI -- The Marlins agreed to a contract for the 2023 season with right-hander Pablo López and five others ahead of Friday's arbitration exchange deadline. López's deal is worth $5.45 million, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

That wasn't the case last year, when a panel of arbiters ruled in favor of the Marlins' figure of $2.45 million after López had filed for $3 million. According to Cot's Contracts, López was in line to make $5.25 million in 2023 in his second year of arbitration-eligibility.

López, who turns 27 on March 7, set career marks for innings (180) and starts (32) while posting a 3.75 ERA and finishing with the 15th-highest WAR (2.8) among qualified National League starting pitchers in 2022. He was named the NL Pitcher of the Month for April and the Marlins' Roberto Clemente Award nominee. More important, his right shoulder held up for a full season for the first time.

Under club control through the 2024 season, and cost-efficient compared to the price tags on the free-agent market, López has been the subject of trade rumors since last year's Deadline. Should the Marlins move him, they would want a Major League bat in return.

Miami also avoided arbitration with All-Star first baseman/designated hitter Garrett Cooper ($4.2 million), catcher Jacob Stallings ($3.35 million), infielder Joey Wendle ($6 million) and relievers Tanner Scott ($2.825 million) and JT Chargois . The club was unable to come to terms with left-hander Jesús Luzardo (Super 2) and utility player Jon Berti, who led MLB in steals in 2022 (second year of arbitration-eligibility).

As general manager Kim Ng affirmed on Wednesday, the Marlins don't typically settle after exchanging salary figures. Arbitration hearings would take place next month.