Major League Baseball’s pre-arbitration bonus pool continues to play a meaningful role in how younger players are rewarded, and the Los Angeles Dodgers have steadily been part of that system since its launch. Introduced under the current collective bargaining agreement in 2022, this pool was designed to recognize strong on-field performance from players who have not yet reached salary arbitration.
During Thanksgiving week, news surfaced regarding the latest distribution of bonuses, placing two Dodgers back in the spotlight and reinforcing how the system has shaped early-career earnings across the league.
How the Pre-Arbitration Bonus Pool Works
The bonus pool is funded collectively by every MLB franchise. Each of the league’s 30 teams contributes $1,666,667, creating an annual total of $50 million. That money is then distributed to eligible players using two primary criteria:
1. Results from major award voting, such as MVP or Cy Young
2. Rankings among the top 100 pre-arbitration players, based on a hybrid version of Wins Above Replacement
The exact formula behind this WAR-based ranking has not been publicly disclosed. However, the goal remains clear: reward performance at a point when most players are earning close to the league minimum.
Dodgers Awarded Bonuses in 2025
Instagram | dodgers | Andy Pages and Emmet Sheehan got 2025 bonus pool payments from the Dodgers.
Two Dodgers received payouts from the 2025 bonus pool, according to the Associated Press:
Andy Pages, outfielder: $513,082
Emmet Sheehan, pitcher: $248,666
Both players were still earning near-minimum salaries heading into the 2025 season. Sheehan’s salary sat at $780,000, while Pages was at $770,000. The bonus payments added meaningful income during a stage of their careers when financial upside is usually limited.
Across MLB, the largest payout went to Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, who earned $3,436,343. That total included a $2.5 million bonus tied to winning the National League Cy Young Award.
Eligibility Rules That Shape Payouts
Not every standout player qualifies for the bonus pool. Foreign professionals are excluded, even if their performance ranks among the best in the league. That rule notably applied to Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who finished third in National League Cy Young voting during his second MLB season.
Despite the strong result, Yamamoto was not eligible for a $1.5 million bonus because he signed a 12-year free agent contract with the Dodgers in December 2023.
Dodgers’ Top Earner Since the Program Began
Among all Dodgers who have benefited from the pre-arbitration bonus pool, catcher Will Smith holds the highest single payout. In 2022, Smith earned $973,374, which included a $500,000 bonus for being named to the All-MLB Second Team. That season remains the most lucrative year for any Dodger under the system so far.
Instagram | dodgers | Catcher Will Smith has the highest single payout from the Dodgers' pre-arbitration bonus pool.
Complete Dodgers Bonus History by Season
A total of 10 Dodgers players have earned pre-arbitration bonuses since the pool was introduced, and no player has appeared on the list more than once. Each season has brought a new group of contributors into the spotlight.
The Dodgers’ bonus recipients began in 2022, when Will Smith earned $973,374, ahead of Tony Gonsolin ($529,938), Evan Phillips ($359,470), Gavin Lux ($312,331), and Trayce Thompson ($283,904). Two more names were added in 2023 — James Outman at $580,948 and Bobby Miller at $406,035. Gavin Stone followed with a $350,022 payout in 2024, and the most recent bonuses went to Andy Pages ($513,082) and Emmet Sheehan ($248,666) in 2025.
Rather than highlighting the same names repeatedly, the distribution points to a development system that produces immediate value from a wide range of players. Each season brings a new contributor into focus.
For players early in their careers, the pre-arbitration bonus pool has introduced a new layer of financial recognition. The effect is most noticeable on youth-driven teams, and although bonus totals vary annually, they help soften the limitations that come with pre-arbitration salaries.
For the Dodgers, the system reinforces performance-based rewards while underscoring the importance of player development across the organization.