masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles are left with two unsigned arbitration-eligible players after a flurry of activity past the 1 p.m. deadline.
Pitcher Kevin Gausman and second baseman Jonathan Schoop didn’t agree to terms and it appears that the situation will remain unresolved heading into the weekend, according to a source.
The sides have exchanged salary proposals and negotiations may continue until the hearing dates, which will be set for next month. A three-person panel will choose one of the salaries.
Gausman…

The Orioles are left with two unsigned arbitration-eligible players after a flurry of activity past the 1 p.m. deadline.

Pitcher Kevin Gausman and second baseman Jonathan Schoop didn’t agree to terms and it appears that the situation will remain unresolved heading into the weekend, according to a source.

The sides have exchanged salary proposals and negotiations may continue until the hearing dates, which will be set for next month. A three-person panel will choose one of the salaries.

sidebar-Gausman-white.jpgGausman came close to a hearing last winter before late agreement on a $3.345 million contract. He filed at $6.225 million today and the Orioles countered at $5.3 million, as first reported by FanRag Sports.

Schoop, who was chosen as Most Valuable Oriole while earning $3.475 million, filed at $9 million today and the Orioles countered at $7.5 million, as first reported by USA Today.

The two unsigned players are represented by The Legacy Agency. It’s just a coincidence.

Closer Zach Britton got the ball rolling this afternoon by agreeing to a $12 million deal, a slight bump from $11.4 million last season. He’s recovering from Achilles tendon surgery and could miss half the season.

Reliever Brad Brach followed with a $5.165 million deal that includes a possible $100,000 in incentives.

Brach won his arbitration case last year, handing the Orioles their first loss since 1995 with pitcher Ben McDonald.

In the most anticipated negotiation of the day, third baseman Manny Machado agreed to a $16 million contract with awards-based incentives after making $11.5 million last year. MLBTradeRumors.com projected that he’d earn $17.3 million.

Britton, Brach and Machado are pending free agents and the club can score it as a victory to get them under contract today. The uncertainty over Machado’s status on the team and the position he’d play already create a bit of an awkward situation.

Caleb Joseph, who lost his arbitration case last winter and made $700,000, signed today for $1.25 million. Infielder Tim Beckham signed for $3.35 million.