The 2023 Gold Glove Winners Financially

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertNovember 06, 2023
© USA TODAY Sports

This year’s crop includes 13 first time winners two of whom were rookies (Volpe, Doyle), & another (Moreno) who was playing out his first full season. The Rangers, Blue Jays & Cubs led the way with three players each, while the Guardians, Diamondbacks, & Padres were each represented with two honors.

Pitcher

2023 was a bounceback year as a whole for Berrios, who has 5 years, $101M remaining in his contract in Toronto, but will have the chance to opt out after 3 years, $53M. Wheeler remains one of the best bang for buck free agent signings in recent baseball history, and is entering a contract year with the Phillies in 2024 (1 year, $23.5M remaining). He’s a blockbuster extension candidate this winter.

AL: Jose Berrios (TOR, $15M, 29th)
NL: Zack Wheeler (PHI, $24.5M, 8th)

Catcher

A couple of World Series catchers pick up their first Gold Gloves together this offseason with prospering financial futures ahead of them. For Heim, he’ll enter the arbitration process for the first time this winter (projected to earn $3.4M for 2024). Moreno just completed his first full season, putting him in-line for 5 more seasons of team control. He’s near the top of the early extension candidate list in the coming weeks.

AL: Jonah Heim (TEX, $745k, 44th)
NL: Gabriel Moreno (ARI, $722k, 58th)

1st Base

Lowe picks up his first Gold Glove this fall, despite a bit of a step back season at the plate. His 2nd of 4 arbitration seasons should score him a more than double raise ($8.8M) from his 2023 compensation. Walker bags his second consecutive Gold Glove in Arizona, and is entering his final year of team control in 2024 (projected $12M salary).

AL: Nate Lowe (TEX, $4M, 25th)
NL: Christian Walker (ARI, $6.5M, 16th)

2nd Base

Gimenez didn’t quite replicate the out of nowhere power season he posted in 2022, but he proved once again that there’s a legitimate bat to go with All-World middle infield defense. He’ll enter Year 2 of a 7 year, $106.5M contract next season. Hoerner signed a 3 year, $35M extension prior to the season that bought out his final two years of arbitration plus one free agent season. With a near 5 WAR to go along with Gold Glove worthy defense each of the past two seasons, he’s offering the Cubs strong value.

AL: Andres Gimenez (CLE, $5M, 14th)
NL: Nico Hoerner (CHC, $2.5M, 19th)

Shortstop

Volpe becomes the first Yankees rookie ever to win a Gold Glove, but it’s actually back to back seasons that a rookie wins the AL Shortstop honor (Jeremy Pena, HOU). Add in 23 doubles, 21 homers, and a 3.15 WAR and it’s easy to be excited about Volpe’s future in the Bronx. Swanson’s second Gold Glove caps a middle infield sweep for the Cubs (Hoerner, 2B), and it should further quiet any remaining doubters who scoffed at his 7 year, $177M free agent deal in Chicago. 

AL: Anthony Volpe (NYY, $720k, 90th)
NL: Dansby Swanson (CHC, $20M, 9th)

3rd Base

While his offensive production fell off of a cliff around midseason, Chapman continues to be touted as one of the best defensive third baseman in the game. This alone should help him secure a hefty bag on the open market this winter. Hayes  put together a career year across the board in Pittsburgh, and will enter Year 3 of an 8 year, $70M contract with the Pirates. His 2024 compensation actually drops down to $7M per season for the next 4 years, as the contract was heavily frontloaded. 

AL: Matt Chapman (TOR, $12M, 13th)
NL: Ke'Bryan Hayes (PIT, $10M, 15th)

Left Field

Kwan has now posted two basically identical seasons to being his MLB, at the plate, on the base paths, and with his glove. The 2-time Gold Glover still holds 4 years of team control, and is a strong early extension candidate this winter. Happ (like Nico Hoerner), signed a 3 year extension prior to the start of the season, then turned in a near career year that was capped off with a Gold Glove honor. He was a little more boom or bust at the plate this season, but should remain a fixture in the middle of the Cubs lineup at a reasonable $20M, $20M, & $18M respectively through 2026.

AL: Steven Kwan (CLE, $727k, 32nd)
NL: Ian Happ (CHC, $13.8M, 7th)

Center Field

Toronto signed Kiermaier to take the CF duties away from injury-prone George Springer. It clearly worked. It’s GG number 4 for the 33 year old, who should find a similar contract on the open market this winter. Doyle made his MLB debut in late April, and while the bat has yet to come around - he was a defensive marvel in Year 1 for the Rockies. He’s the 6th rookie outfielder to win a Gold Glove.

AL: Kevin Kiermaier (TOR, $9M, 9th)
NL: Brenton Doyle (COL, $720k, 40th)

Right Field

Garcia’s power wasn’t just a problem for opposing teams at the plate. His cannon arm led to 11 outfield assists in 2023, factoring into quite a resume for his first go around at arbitration this winter. He projects to a near $6M salary for 2024. Tatis Jr. appears to be the type of player who can play anywhere on the field, and his first season in Right Field is just another example. He’ll earn $11M next season on what should have been his final go around in arbitration (strong value), then it’s 10 years, $306M from there out.

AL: Adolis Garcia (TEX, $747k, 32nd)
NL: Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD, $5.6M, 22nd)

Utility

Dubon put it all together this year, making an impact at the plate (130 hits, 26 doubles, 2.7 WAR), while saving runs at nearly every defensive position on the field for Houston. He enters Year 2 of 4 arbitration seasons this spring, projected to earn around $3M for his efforts. Kim was a do-it-all infielder for San Diego, making most of his impact as a second baseman in 2023. He also bagged a career high 17 HRs at the plate, compiling an outstanding 5.76 WAR for the season. He’ll earn $7M in 2024, with a mutual opt-out available thereafter.

AL: Mauricio Dubon (HOU, $1.4M)
NL: Ha-seong Kim (SD, $7M)


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