Phil Maton is a professional baseball player who currently pitches for the Houston Astros. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 20th round of the 2015 MLB draft and made his debut with the team in 2017.
Maton has since played for the Cleveland Indians and the Astros, and has become a reliable relief pitcher. Recently, Maton was in the news for agreeing to a one-year contract with the Astros worth $2.55 million to avoid arbitration.
We will take a closer look at Phil Maton and his career, as well as discuss what happened in his arbitration case and what it means for him and the Astros.
We will also explain the arbitration process in the MLB and provide some context for Maton’s situation.
Who is Phil Maton?
Phil Maton is a right-handed relief pitcher who was born on March 25, 1993, in Chatham, Illinois. He attended Louisiana Tech University and was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 20th round of the 2015 MLB draft.
Maton made his MLB debut with the Padres on June 11, 2017, and pitched for them until he was traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2019. He was then traded to the Houston Astros in 2021, where he currently plays.
Maton has had a solid career as a relief pitcher so far. In 2021, he had a 3.71 ERA, a 1.128 WHIP, and 88 strikeouts in 68 innings pitched.
Over the course of his MLB career, Maton has a 3.81 ERA, a 1.177 WHIP, and 211 strikeouts in 179.1 innings pitched. While his stats are not necessarily eye-popping, he has proven to be a reliable pitcher out of the bullpen.
One notable moment in Maton’s career came on May 4, 2019, when he struck out four batters in one inning of relief against the Miami Marlins.
This was a rare feat, as it is only possible if a batter reaches base on a dropped third strike. Maton struck out the first three batters he faced, but the third strike on the third batter was dropped, allowing the batter to reach first base.
Maton then struck out the next batter to end the inning. Another notable moment for Maton came in the 2021 postseason when he pitched 5.2 innings of scoreless relief for the Astros, helping them advance to the American League Championship Series.
What is Arbitration in Mlb?
Arbitration in Major League Baseball is a process used to settle contract disputes between teams and their players.
The process is intended to be a fair way to determine a player’s salary for the upcoming season, as it allows for a neutral third party to hear arguments from both the player and the team before making a decision.
Arbitration exists in the MLB because teams and players sometimes have trouble agreeing on a salary, and arbitration provides a way to settle the dispute without having to go to court.
The arbitration process in the MLB typically begins in early January when teams and players exchange salary figures for the upcoming season. If the two sides cannot come to an agreement, they will proceed to an arbitration hearing, which takes place in February.
At the hearing, a panel of arbitrators will hear arguments from both sides and then make a decision on the player’s salary for the upcoming season. The decision of the arbitrators is binding and cannot be appealed.
Some recent examples of arbitration cases in the MLB include Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs, who won his arbitration case in 2020 and was awarded $18.6 million for the 2020 season.
In 2021, Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets went to arbitration but ultimately agreed to a one-year, $22.3 million contract before the hearing.
In the same year, Trevor Bauer of the Los Angeles Dodgers won his arbitration case and was awarded a record-breaking $40 million for the 2021 season.
Phil Maton’s Arbitration Case
Phil Maton and the Houston Astros were in arbitration because they were unable to agree on a contract for the 2023 season.
Maton was eligible for arbitration as he has not yet reached free agency, and the two sides were seeking different salaries for the upcoming season. Maton filed for a salary of $3.1 million, while the Astros offered $2.25 million.
At the arbitration hearing, Maton argued that he deserved a salary closer to his requested amount based on his performance and contributions to the team.
He pointed to his solid numbers from the 2021 season and his strong performance in the postseason as evidence that he was a valuable player.
The Astros argued that Maton’s numbers did not warrant a salary of $3.1 million and that their offer of $2.25 million was more in line with his market value.
The outcome of the arbitration was that Phil Maton agreed to a one-year contract with the Houston Astros worth $2.55 million, which is slightly higher than the Astros’ initial offer but lower than Maton’s requested amount.
This means that the two sides were able to avoid going to a hearing and that Maton will remain with the Astros for the 2023 season.
The outcome of the arbitration is a win-win for both sides as Maton will receive a slightly higher salary than the Astros initially offered, and the team will not have to spend more than they believe he is worth.
Phil Maton’s MLB Career and Arbitration Case
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | Relief Pitcher |
| MLB Debut | June 11, 2017 |
| Teams | San Diego Padres (2017-2019), Cleveland Indians (2019), Houston Astros (2021-present) |
| 2021 Stats | 3.71 ERA, 1.128 WHIP, 88 strikeouts in 68 innings pitched |
| MLB Career Stats | 3.81 ERA, 1.177 WHIP, 211 strikeouts in 179.1 innings pitched |
| Notable Moments | Struck out four batters in one inning on May 4, 2019; pitched 5.2 scoreless innings in 2021 postseason |
| Arbitration Case | Filed for $3.1 million, Astros offered $2.25 million; agreed to one-year, $2.55 million contract to avoid arbitration |
This table provides a quick overview of Phil Maton’s career as a relief pitcher in the MLB, including his stats, notable moments, and recent arbitration case with the Houston Astros.
FAQs
Is Phil Maton a starting pitcher or a relief pitcher?
Phil Maton is a relief pitcher. While he has started a few games in his career, he primarily pitches out of the bullpen.
How many years of MLB experience does Phil Maton have?
As of the 2023 season, Phil Maton has four years of MLB experience.
How are arbitration salaries determined in the MLB?
In arbitration cases, a panel of arbitrators hears arguments from both the player and the team and then decides on a salary for the upcoming season. The arbitrators typically consider a player’s performance, statistics, and other relevant factors when making their decision.
How long does the arbitration process usually take in the MLB?
The arbitration process typically takes several weeks, beginning in early January when teams and players exchange salary figures and culminating in arbitration hearings in February.
What happens if a player and team cannot come to an agreement in arbitration?
If a player and team cannot come to an agreement in arbitration, the case will go to a hearing, where a panel of arbitrators will hear arguments from both sides and then make a decision on the player’s salary for the upcoming season. The decision of the arbitrators is binding and cannot be appealed.
Conclusion
Phil Maton is a talented relief pitcher for the Houston Astros who recently agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.55 million to avoid arbitration.
While Maton’s career numbers are not necessarily eye-popping, he has proven to be a reliable pitcher out of the bullpen, and his performance in the postseason helped the Astros advance to the American League Championship Series in 2021.
The arbitration process in the MLB is used to settle contract disputes between teams and players, and it allows for a neutral third party to hear arguments from both sides before making a decision.
While the outcome of Maton’s arbitration case was not exactly what he was hoping for, it was a fair compromise between him and the Astros, and he will remain an important part of the team for the 2023 season.
Overall, Maton’s career is still in its early stages, and it will be exciting to see what he accomplishes in the years to come.
