What happened: MLB Trade Rumors projects nine New York Yankees as arbitration-eligible this winter, led by Luis Garcia Jr. at $11 million. Clarke Schmidt checks in at $4.45 million and Anthony Volpe at $4 million, with Austin Wells, Jose Caballero, Heliot Ramos, Ryan Weathers, Luis Gil and Fernando Cruz also listed. Tendered players who do not agree to terms by mid-January exchange salary figures for an arbitration hearing.

Why it matters: New York Yankees enter the offseason balancing payroll against openings created by pending free agency, including at first base where Garcia Jr. alternated with Paul Goldschmidt. Wells held the catching job over Ben Rice and added postseason offense, strengthening his case for a tender. Weathers offers rotation value after 25 starts, while Cruz and other injury-affected cases complicate the back of the list.

What to watch: Tender decisions will sort keepers from non-tender candidates before the mid-January exchange deadline, clarifying first base, catcher and pitching depth for spring training.