Players such as Fontenot earn Super Two status and get an early start on arbitration, which can bring hefty raises. Other Super Twos include Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum, Rays pitcher Matt Garza, Cubs pitcher Tom Gorzelanny, Royals third baseman Alex Gordon, Orioles pitcher Matt Albers, Pirates pitcher Jeff Karstens, Astros outfielder Hunter Pence, Rangers pitcher Dustin Nippert and newly acquired Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez.

Those players can file for arbitration in mid-January and those who don't settle go to hearings the following month, with three-arbitrator panels selecting the salary proposed by either the player or club.