Nationals, Cade Cavalli Settle Arbitration With One-Year Deal and 2027 Option
Washington used a contract structure designed to sidestep creating an arbitration precedent.
Overview
- The agreement avoids a hearing after filings of $900,000 by Cavalli and $825,000 by the club, a $75,000 gap that was the smallest among 18 cases.
- AP reports a $862,500 salary for 2026 at the midpoint, with a $4 million team option for 2027 and a $7,500 buyout, and lists the deal at $870,000.
- MLB Trade Rumors notes the option makes the deal a technical multi-year arrangement that cannot be used as a single-year arbitration comparator.
- Cavalli, 27, was arbitration-eligible for the first time after a 2025 return to the majors in which he went 3-1 with a 4.25 ERA over 10 starts.
- Seventeen players remain scheduled for arbitration hearings from Jan. 26 to Feb. 13 in Scottsdale, Arizona.