Anthony Rendon qualifies for Super Two arbitration status

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon is among a group of 25 major leaguers who have qualified for Super Two arbitration status this year, according to MLBTradeRumors.com. The site reports that Rendon came in right at 2.130 service time cutoff, earning an extra year of arbitration-eligible status.

Typically, a major league player becomes arbitration-eligible when he accrues three years playing in the big leagues. As MLBTR writes, "A full year of Major League service is defined as spending 172 days on a 25-man roster or on the Major League disabled list."

The MLB collective bargaining agreement defines Super Two status as:

"A Player with at least two but less than three years of Major League service shall be eligible for salary arbitration if: (a) he has accumulated at least 86 days of service during the immediately preceding season; and (b) he ranks in the top 22% (rounded to the nearest whole number) in total service in the class of Players who have at least two but less than three years of Major League service, however accumulated, but with at least 86 days of service accumulated during the immediately preceding season. If two or more Players are tied at 22%, all such Players shall be eligible."

Rendon finished fifth in the National League MVP vote in 2014 and won a Silver Slugger after batting .287 with 21 homers, 83 RBIs and league-high 111 runs scored over 153 games. But a sprained left MCL, strained left oblique and strained left quad sent Rendon to the disabled list for lengthy stretches this season and the 25-year-old managed to appear in only 80 games.

The Nationals lineup lacked consistency without Rendon and they weren't quite able to take full advantage of Bryce Harper's monstrous season. Rendon ended up hitting .264 with five homers, 25 RBIs and 43 runs scored in his limited role.

MLBTR projects Rendon's arbitration salary for 2016 to be $2.5 million. Qualifying early benefits Rendon, who most likely will receive a larger payday in his next round of arbitration, which will now come sooner. Rendon who won't become a free agent until 2020, and the Nationals could look to sign him earlier to a long-term extension.

The Nationals have eight other players eligible for arbitration: right-handers Stephen Strasburg, Craig Stammen, Drew Storen and David Carpenter; catchers Wilson Ramos and Jose Lobaton; first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore; and infielder Danny Espinosa.