McAdam: Salary arbitration hit won't be nearly as big for Red Sox this winter

Unlike last year, when they had seven players eligible for salary arbitration --including Mookie Betts -- and saw their payroll leap more than $60 million due to the arbitration process, the Red Sox are far better positioned this time around when it comes to what impact the increases will have on their 2021 payroll. (The Sox, of course, reduced a good chunk of that payroll by trading Betts a month later).

This time, eight of their players will be eligible for arbitration this winter, but with these important caveats in place:  only two are expected to realize big increases in salary, and at least two others candidates to be non-tendered.

As it stands, here are the players who will qualify for salary arbitration:

• Rafael Devers


• Eduardo Rodriguez


• Ryan Weber


• Zach Godley


• Jose Peraza


• Kevin Plawecki


• Austin Brice


• Matt Barnes