By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

How's this for a shocking oddity?

Catcher Luke Maile only played part-time last season for the Blue Jays but he will earn more money in 2019 than American League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.

That tells you a bit about how teams spend money in baseball for players not eligible for salary arbitration.

After negotiations finished, CBN was told Maile signed a contract for $579,000, compared to the $573,700 that Snell was renewed at by the Tampa Bay Rays. Odd but true. Maile actually signed a split contract, meaning that if he plays in the minors, he will receive $279,200.

Maile hit three homers, collected 13 doubles, drove in 27 runs, batted .248 and was highly praised by the pitching staff for his performance in 2018 in a platoon role with Russell Martin. Maile threw out 16 runners trying to steal for what is considered an impressive caught-stealing percentage of 30.

Maile and Snell were fairly similar in the service time they accrued: Maile came in at two years, 99 days, Snell a little less at two years, 72 days.

Snell posted a fantastic 21-5 record with a pretty nifty 1.89 ERA and all he could get out of the Rays was a raise of about $15,000. Maile's raise was about $21,000. Snell was thoroughly disappointed with the Rays offer and refused to sign his contract. So the Rays renewed him at the $573,700 figure but opted not to fine Snell $5,000 for being renewed.

Baseball's major-league minimum this season is $555,000, which is the likely salary for Dalton Pompey, who may make the Jays roster this season. He's out of minor-league options. His major-league salary last season was $545,000.