Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is projected to receive the largest share from the $50 million pre-arbitration bonus pool, estimated at $1,179,587 based on July 6 WAR calculations. This system, established in the 2022 collective bargaining agreement, aims to distribute funds to players without sufficient service time for salary arbitration.

Miami shortstop Otto Lopez is second on the list, followed by Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski and St. Louis's JJ Wetherholt. A total of 100 players will receive payments from the pool, with the arbitration cutoff for 2026 set at 2 years and 140 days of major league service. The WAR formula determines the allocation of these bonuses.

This year's projections follow previous leaders like Paul Skenes, Julio Rodriguez, and Bobby Witt Jr. Players can also earn significant bonuses through awards such as MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year. Negotiations for a new contract include proposals to increase the bonus pool and adjust eligibility criteria for players on multiyear deals.