The Houston Astros and outfielder George Springer could not reach an agreement on a new contract before Friday's arbitration deadline and are expected to head to a hearing thanks to a $5-million gap in exchanged salary figures, reports ESPN's Jeff Passan.
The gap is the largest of the offseason between a team and an arbitration-eligible player, Passan adds.
Springer and the Astros can still negotiate after Friday's deadline. If a deal is not reached by February, a panel of arbitrators will determine the 30-year-old's 2020 salary during a hearing set to take place at some point between Feb. 3-21.
Springer's $22.5-million ask follows his best season in the majors. He hit .292/.383/.591 with 39 home runs and 96 RBIs in 122 games, while appearing in his third All-Star Game and finishing seventh in American League MVP voting.
