Ok looking it up sounds like Jan 15 is the date to submit what teams are willing to pay a player and for players to submit what they believe should earn. Then mid February if they hadn't come to an agreed salary, the arbitration hearing would begin.

That's where I think action takes place. After a 60game season, salary increases won't be normal. Or will they? Seems a lot of Arb eligibles are still without a contract. You clear this up and teams such as the Brewers will have an understanding of what payroll they have to work with. And/or the trade value tied to a Josh Hader for example. Is he going to make 8-10mil next season? Or 5.5-7? Counsell believed Hader should have won 6.4mil his first go. So jumping to 10mil doesnt seem like a reach. Youre talking price difference around an early 1st rd pick to early 2nd rd pick value. Or a full tier below class of prospect return. At that point if its worst case scenario, they keep Hader and pay the man til the end and let him go at FA. The worst would also mean the end of FA signings over 2mil. They'd probably settle with minors sign and invites with strong chances to win 1b or 3b role. Woodruff is also on the Arb process which has to be near a 2mil space once submissions happen. On worst case scenario that's a combined 4-6.5mil nearly a Blake Treinen deal the Dodgers just handed out.
Teams that are buying right now how many arb guys tbd do they have? Maybe they don't have any significant one or any at all so payroll is easy to spend.