Diamondbacks Contracts for 2022 Include Walker, Weaver, and Carson Kelly; Clarke Out
PHOENIX, Nov. 30 — The Arizona Diamondbacks tendered contracts to three arbitration-eligible players Tuesday afternoon while avoiding arbitration with three others. Catcher Carson Kelly, first baseman Christian Walker, and right-handed pitcher Luke Weaver — all of whom are eligible for arbitration — received contract offers from the team. They also signed a trio of pitchers — lefty Caleb Smith and right-handed relievers Noé Ramirez and J.B. Wendelken — to one-year contracts, avoiding arbitration with the three. Righty Taylor Clarke, who struggled mightily after returning from a COVID spell, was non-tendered, meaning that the team chose not to sign him for 2022.
Arbitration Looms
For Kelly, Walker, and Weaver, arbitration is the next step. The Diamondbacks will submit their salary offers to the arbitrator, while the three players will send salary amounts that they feel are the most fair. A neutral arbitrator will decide, in each case, which of the two salary proposals the player most deserves. Since the arbitrator can only pick between the two salaries that are submitted, the players and teams must carefully consider their proposals.
With the other three arbitration-eligible players, the Diamondbacks sent contract offers that were to the players’ liking. According to Zach Buchanan of The Athletic, Smith will receive $2 million, Ramirez will make $1.25 million, and Wendelken will make $835k.
40-Man Roster at 38
The Diamondbacks also outrighted right-handed reliever Brett de Geus to Triple-A Reno and infielder Andrew Young to Double-A Amarillo. Their 40-man roster now sits at 38. The breakdown is as follows.
Pitchers (21)
- J.B. Bukauskas
- Madison Bumgarner (signed through 2024)
- Zack Burdi
- Humberto Castellanos
- Luis Frias
- Zac Gallen
- Tyler Gilbert
- Merrill Kelly (signed through 2022)
- Joe Mantiply
- Corbin Martin
- Humberto Mejia
- Kyle Nelson
- Matt Peacock
- Sean Poppen
- Noé Ramirez
- Caleb Smith
- Edwin Uceta
- Luke Weaver (arbitration eligible)
- Ryan Weiss
- J.B. Wendelken
- Taylor Widener
Catchers (3)
- Jose Herrera
- Carson Kelly (arbitration eligible)
- Daulton Varsho
Infielders (9)
- Nick Ahmed (signed through 2024)
- Seth Beer
- Ketel Marte (signed through 2022 with club options for 2023 and 2024)
- Drew Ellis
- Geraldo Perdomo
- Josh Rojas
- Pavin Smith
- Josh VanMeter
- Christian Walker (arbitration eligible)
Outfielders (6)
- Stuart Fairchild
- Cooper Hummel
- Jordan Luplow
- Jake McCarthy
- David Peralta (signed through 2022)
- Kristian Robinson (restricted list)
