Thirty-Four Players Reach Super Two Status, Gaining Early Arbitration Eligibility

Major League Baseball released its list of players qualifying for the 2026 “Super Two” designation, a status that allows certain players with between two and three years of service time to enter salary arbitration a year earlier than most. Among the 34 players named were standout young contributors such as San Diego reliever Mason Miller, Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto, and Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia.

These players, along with others like Colorado’s Brenton Doyle, Milwaukee’s Brice Turang, Cincinnati’s Matt McLain, and Washington’s Jake Irvin, reached the required service threshold of two years and 140 days to qualify. That cutoff, which fluctuates annually depending on service time data, was higher this year than in the past two seasons — continuing a gradual upward trend that affects how teams plan their payrolls.

For the players, Super Two status represents an early opportunity to earn a salary reflective of their growing impact. Instead of waiting the standard three years before arbitration, they can now negotiate pay increases based on performance and contribution, often leading to significant financial rewards.

The arbitration process, a key aspect of MLB’s collective bargaining system, helps balance player compensation with team control. For younger players breaking out early, Super Two eligibility can mark both a milestone and a major business shift in their careers.

1. The Super Two System and This Year’s Cutoff

The “Super Two” designation applies to the top 22% of players with more than two years but less than three years of service time, provided they spent at least 86 days on a major league roster during the previous season. This rule, established in 1991 and expanded in 2013, ensures that a small percentage of emerging players can access arbitration early, joining their three-to-six-year counterparts. This year’s cutoff landed at two years, 140 days of service — the highest since 2011, when it peaked at two years, 146 days. In recent years, the number has varied widely: two years, 118 days in 2024 and two years, 132 days last offseason. Such changes often depend on player call-ups, roster management, and the evolving dynamics of team control strategies across the league. Players just below the threshold missed out by razor-thin margins. Seattle’s Jackson Kowar, Tampa Bay’s Manuel Rodríguez, and Cincinnati’s Brandon Williamson fell one day short at two years, 139 days. Further down, San Francisco’s Patrick Bailey, Kansas City’s Lucas Erceg, and Giants right-hander Ryan Walker each finished with two years, 136 days. These fine distinctions can significantly influence player earnings and team budgeting, as Super Two players typically earn millions more over the course of their arbitration years compared with those who must wait an extra season for eligibility.

2. Notable Names Among This Year’s Class

Beyond Miller, Neto, and Garcia, the 2026 Super Two class includes a broad mix of established contributors and promising talents from across the league. Cincinnati’s Matt McLain, the final player above the cutoff at two years and 140 days, joins Mets right-hander Reed Garrett, Houston outfielder Taylor Trammell, and St. Louis pitcher Matthew Liberatore among the list’s upper tier. Several others who played key roles for their teams in 2025 also earned eligibility. That group includes Boston left-hander Brennan Bernardino, Mets catcher Francisco Álvarez, Cleveland outfielder Will Brennan, Yankees infielder José Caballero, and Seattle right-hander Bryce Miller. Each is now poised to enter negotiations that could significantly alter their salary trajectory. The list also features players such as Kansas City’s James McArthur, Miami’s Max Meyer, Pittsburgh’s Jack Suwinski, and Atlanta’s Joey Wentz — all of whom have shown potential to grow into long-term roster mainstays. Tampa Bay’s Alex Faedo would have qualified but was designated for assignment earlier this week and elected free agency, removing him from consideration. Teams and players will exchange proposed salary figures on January 8, with arbitration hearings set for January 26 through February 13 in Scottsdale, Arizona, if agreements aren’t reached beforehand.

3. The Broader Impact on Teams and Players

The Super Two process has long shaped how organizations handle the promotion and service time of top prospects. By delaying call-ups until later in a season, some teams attempt to avoid early arbitration costs — a strategy that has drawn criticism from players’ unions and fans alike. This year’s elevated cutoff could reinforce that cautious approach, as each additional service day carries financial implications down the line. For teams like the Royals, Padres, and Angels, who each have key players gaining eligibility, the impact could be immediate. Early arbitration means accelerated salary growth and potential adjustments to long-term payroll planning. Conversely, for players, it represents a chance to be compensated closer to market value sooner in their careers. The history of Super Two eligibility dates back to the 1970s, when MLB first introduced arbitration after two years of service. The threshold increased to three years in 1986 before the Super Two provision was introduced to bridge the gap for the league’s rising young talent. As arbitration discussions begin in January, both sides will look to strike a balance between fair compensation and sustainable roster management — continuing the delicate economic dance that defines modern baseball’s labor structure.