Paul Skenes Tops 2025 Pre-Arbitration Bonus Pool

"The 2022-26 collective bargaining agreement introduced the pre-arb bonus pool as a way for younger players to get paid earlier in their careers. Every team pays roughly $1.67MM into the pool, which adds up to a $50MM total. That money is then dispersed to pre-arb players, even if they have signed an early-career extension. In many cases, the pool is a greater source of income than a player's salary."

"The payouts are initially determined based on awards voting. Winning MVP or Cy Young nets a player $2.5MM. Finishing second place leads to $1.75MM, with $1.5MM for third place and $1MM for fourth or fifth place. Winning Rookie of the Year translates to $750K with runners-up getting $500K. Players get $1MM for being named first-team All-MLB and $500K for second-team."

Paul Skenes topped the 2025 pre-arbitration bonus pool with just over $3.4 million. Cristopher Sánchez received $2.7 million and Hunter Brown received $2.2 million. The 2022–26 collective bargaining agreement created a $50 million pre-arbitration bonus pool funded by roughly $1.67 million contributions from each team. The pool is paid to pre-arbitration players, including those with early-career extensions, and can exceed a player's salary; the league minimum was $760K in 2025. Awards-based payouts assign fixed amounts for MVP/Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and All-MLB honors, with players receiving only their highest awards-based amount. Remaining funds are distributed to the top 100 qualified players via a negotiated WAR formula. Previous top recipients included Dylan Cease (2022), Julio Rodríguez (2023), and Bobby Witt Jr. (2024).

Read at MLB Trade Rumors