Monday, December 08, 2003
HONEY, CAN WE WORK THIS OUT?
Yesterday was the last day for clubs to offer salary arbitration to their free agents. By doing so, the club can continue to negotiate with the player. If not, the player can not resign with until May 1st.
If it were only that simple.
Another part of the process is the potential that the player will accept arbitration from the club. In this case, a neutral party will decide between either the club or the player's salary figure for the upcoming season. In short, players usually get a raise over last year's salary. In a deflating market and shrinking budgets, one would think no player would be offered. But...
The final piece is that if a player is offered arbitration, rejects it, and signs with another team, then the player's former club receives draft pick compensation. The type of pick is dependent upon the player's rating from the Elias Sports Bureau.
It is a complicated process that is probably not necessary.
Now that we have gone over the basics onto commentary on the decisions.
Colon and Gordon were offered by the White Sox. Flash was a no brainer. He, basically (more on this soon), signed with the MFY. Thus, he will reject the White Sox offer of arbitration and the ChicSox will receive draft pick compensation from the MFY. It is unlikely that a young free agent like Colon is going to accept a one-year deal from arbitration. They are looking for multi-year security. Hence, the ChicSox get additional time to sign Colon (his market appears to be soft). If they do not get the fat ass, then they will receive picks. Solid decisions from the folks on the south side of town.
Tejada, Foulke and Rincon were offered by the A's. Billy Beane wants picks for Tejada. Tejada is not going to accept arbitration. In order to sign Foulke, they had to offer. Foulke is deciding between the A's and Sox multi-year contracts. He will not accept arbitration either. Easy decisions for the A's. Rincon is risky. My guess is that he could double his 2003 salary to about $3 million going to arbitration. It seems too costly/risky for the A's to pay a LOOGY that much.
Pettitte, Wells and Gabe White offered by the MFY.
Millwood and Plesac. My sense is that Plesac is close to signing. There is no need to offer Plesac otherwise. The Millwood decision was a surprise and very nice move. The thought was that the acquisition of Milton would eliminate the prospect of him in Philly. Scott Boras had Maddux accept the Braves offer last offseason, but in Millwood's case it is unlikely. Millwood will get the most cash this winter. Next season's potential starter free agent market could be filled with many huge names. Greater supply with steady demand drops the price or salary for Millwood. As Curt Schilling said, "this is not rocket science." If Millwood does accept, then Philly could take a one-year salary hit or trade him. Boston, MFY, Anaheim, ChicSox could all be good trading partners for the Philly.
Pudge will not be back in Miami. The Marlins could not offer arbitration to Pudge so they had to get a deal done by Sunday. It did not happen, but do not fear Marlins fans, Ramon Castro and Mark Redman will be a productive combination.
Arizona declined to offer Miguel Batista. Batista is a valuable pitcher and he would not break the bank with an arbitration award. If Carlos Baerga took Batista's money, D'back fans should big pissed.
Maddux, Sheffield and Lopez not offered by the Braves. The Maddux decision is a no brainer. He would have accepted and been awarded a salary that did not fit into the Braves budget. Not offering Lopez is somewhat of a surprise. Lopez has stated that he wanted to play some first base and DH to prolong his career. Essentially, Lopez wants a multi-year deal in the American League so it seems unlikely that he would accept arbitration. Perhaps the Braves budget (both MLB roster and player development) is so tight that the low risk move was not worth the reward of draft picks. The Braves should have offered Sheffield - see Flash Gordon. This is even more foolish than last season's Millwood deal.
But the stupidest move award goes to the Expos for not offering
Vlad. This is so wrong on so many levels.
Yesterday was the last day for clubs to offer salary arbitration to their free agents. By doing so, the club can continue to negotiate with the player. If not, the player can not resign with until May 1st.
If it were only that simple.
Another part of the process is the potential that the player will accept arbitration from the club. In this case, a neutral party will decide between either the club or the player's salary figure for the upcoming season. In short, players usually get a raise over last year's salary. In a deflating market and shrinking budgets, one would think no player would be offered. But...
The final piece is that if a player is offered arbitration, rejects it, and signs with another team, then the player's former club receives draft pick compensation. The type of pick is dependent upon the player's rating from the Elias Sports Bureau.
It is a complicated process that is probably not necessary.
Now that we have gone over the basics onto commentary on the decisions.
Colon and Gordon were offered by the White Sox. Flash was a no brainer. He, basically (more on this soon), signed with the MFY. Thus, he will reject the White Sox offer of arbitration and the ChicSox will receive draft pick compensation from the MFY. It is unlikely that a young free agent like Colon is going to accept a one-year deal from arbitration. They are looking for multi-year security. Hence, the ChicSox get additional time to sign Colon (his market appears to be soft). If they do not get the fat ass, then they will receive picks. Solid decisions from the folks on the south side of town.
Tejada, Foulke and Rincon were offered by the A's. Billy Beane wants picks for Tejada. Tejada is not going to accept arbitration. In order to sign Foulke, they had to offer. Foulke is deciding between the A's and Sox multi-year contracts. He will not accept arbitration either. Easy decisions for the A's. Rincon is risky. My guess is that he could double his 2003 salary to about $3 million going to arbitration. It seems too costly/risky for the A's to pay a LOOGY that much.
Pettitte, Wells and Gabe White offered by the MFY.
Millwood and Plesac. My sense is that Plesac is close to signing. There is no need to offer Plesac otherwise. The Millwood decision was a surprise and very nice move. The thought was that the acquisition of Milton would eliminate the prospect of him in Philly. Scott Boras had Maddux accept the Braves offer last offseason, but in Millwood's case it is unlikely. Millwood will get the most cash this winter. Next season's potential starter free agent market could be filled with many huge names. Greater supply with steady demand drops the price or salary for Millwood. As Curt Schilling said, "this is not rocket science." If Millwood does accept, then Philly could take a one-year salary hit or trade him. Boston, MFY, Anaheim, ChicSox could all be good trading partners for the Philly.
Pudge will not be back in Miami. The Marlins could not offer arbitration to Pudge so they had to get a deal done by Sunday. It did not happen, but do not fear Marlins fans, Ramon Castro and Mark Redman will be a productive combination.
Arizona declined to offer Miguel Batista. Batista is a valuable pitcher and he would not break the bank with an arbitration award. If Carlos Baerga took Batista's money, D'back fans should big pissed.
Maddux, Sheffield and Lopez not offered by the Braves. The Maddux decision is a no brainer. He would have accepted and been awarded a salary that did not fit into the Braves budget. Not offering Lopez is somewhat of a surprise. Lopez has stated that he wanted to play some first base and DH to prolong his career. Essentially, Lopez wants a multi-year deal in the American League so it seems unlikely that he would accept arbitration. Perhaps the Braves budget (both MLB roster and player development) is so tight that the low risk move was not worth the reward of draft picks. The Braves should have offered Sheffield - see Flash Gordon. This is even more foolish than last season's Millwood deal.
But the stupidest move award goes to the Expos for not offering
Vlad. This is so wrong on so many levels.
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Thank you - Red Sox!
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