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Three Members of Toronto Blue Jays Take Home Extra Money For Holidays
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- Three Members of Toronto Blue Jays Take Home Extra Money For Holidays
The holiday shopping just got a little easier for three members of the Toronto Blue Jays as Tyler Heineman , Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes each brought home bonuses through the players pre-arbitration bonus pool.
Per the Associated Press , Heineman made just under $305,000 while Barger made about $248,500 and Lukes made about $222,500.
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How are the bonuses determined?
From the Associated Press:
The allocation of the 2025 Major League Baseball pre-arbitration bonus pool, as determined by the collective bargaining agreement. An eligible player gets $2.5 million for winning a MVP or Cy Young Award, $1.75 million for second in the voting, $1.5 million for third, $1 million for fourth, fifth or all-MLB first team, $750,000 for Rookie of the Year, $500,000 for second in Rookie of the Year voting or all-MLB second team. A player is eligible to receive a bonus for only one award per year, for the highest amount eligible for. The remaining money is allocated by a WAR formula:
About Heineman
A six-year veteran of the San Francisco Giants , Miami Marlins , Pittsburgh Pirates , Boston Red Sox and Blue Jays, Heineman put together a solid season as Alejandro Kirk 's backup. Playing in 61 games, he hit .289 with three home runs and 20 RBIs.
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He's 34-years-old and under contract through 2028.
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman (55) smiles during media day before game 1 of the World Series at Rogers Centre. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
About Barger
The 26-year-old Washington native played in 135 games for Toronto this past regular season, hitting .243 with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs. And he broke out in a big way in the playoffs, hitting three home runs and driving in nine runs as the Blue Jays advanced to Game 7 of the World Series.
He also hit .367 in October with a .441 on-base percentage. He had the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history. His power and offensive impact are undeniable.
About Lukes
At 31-years-old Lukes, finally got his first real shot in the big leagues in 2025, and he certainly made the most of it. He hit .255 with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs, posting an OPS+ of 100 in 135 games. He also started consistently against righties in the playoffs as the Jays advanced to Game 7 of the World Series.
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The big winners
Ten players made over $1 million in bonus money, stemming from award victories or award placements. Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates earned $3.4 million after winning the National League Cy Young Award. Cristopher Sanchez of the Philadelphia Phillies and Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros each earned more than $2 million.
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