Chicago Cubs second baseman and semi-utility player Mike Fontenot was awarded Super Two status yesterday, which means he is now arbitration eligible.
Fontenot had 2 years, 139 days of service time to tie Orioles center fielder Adam Jones and Reds pitcher Micah Owings but won the tiebreaker for “Super Two” status because he had more service time last season.
D-backs third baseman Mark Reynolds, who hit 44 homers and had 102 RBIs last season, had 2 years, 138 days of service and won’t go to arbitration, meaning Arizona figures to save millions of dollars next year.
Fontenot was able to get the last spot as part of the rules laid out in the 1990 labor agreement that stipulate that the top 17 percent of players with at least two and less than three years of service time are eligible for arbitration along with players with at least three years but less than six years of service. cubs.com.
The designation could be a blessing and a curse for Fontenot. Super Two status means he gets a head start on his arbitration years (typically years four through six for a player, for Super Twos, years three through five). But it now makes him a candidate for the Cubs to nontender – i.e., show the door.
The Cubs would have been willing to retain Fontenot on the renewal contract, standard for young players, but once he hits arbitration, Fontenot could get a raise to more than $1 million. The Cubs may not be willing to risk that, and could instead decide not to retain his services.