Yainer Diaz filed at $4.5 million in arbitration, with the Astros submitting an $3 million figure.

It’s the first time that hard-hitting 27-year-old backstop is eligible for arbitration. MLBTradeRumors.com projected that he would earn $4.5 million via the arbitration process, so it seems far more likely that if it does go to a hearing that Diaz would ultimately win out. He’s coming off of another solid offensive season in which he slashed .256/.284/.417 with 20 homers, 70 RBI and a 95/20 K/BB ratio across 567 plate appearances.