Team-By-Team Arbitration Decisions

by Eric Simon on Dec 1, 2008 5:55 PM EST in Transactions Comment 77 comments

[Updated @ 11:18am: Astros, Reds, Phillies]: News of arbitration [non-]offers are trickling in, so whenever I hear something new I'll add it here. If you discover any on your own don't hesitate to include them in the comments, but be sure to provide a source. I'll update this list accordingly. I am only going to include Type A and Type B free agents, since the arbitration status of unranked players is inconsequential.

Players who were offered arbitration are listed in bold green (Type A) or green (Type B).
Players not offered arbitration are listed in bold red (Type A) or red (Type B).

Angels

Garret Anderson (MLB.com)
Jon Garland (MLB.com)
Darren Oliver (MLB.com)
Francisco Rodriguez (MLB.com)
Mark Teixeira (MLB.com)

Athletics

Alan Embree (MLB.com)
Frank Thomas (MLB.com)

Astros

Doug Brocail (MLB.com)
Mark Loretta (MLB.com)
Randy Wolf (MLB.com)

Blue Jays

A.J. Burnett (MLB.com)
Gregg Zaun (MLB.com)

Braves

John Smoltz (MLB.com)

Brewers

Eric Gagne (MLB.com)
C.C. Sabathia (MLB.com)
Ben Sheets (MLB.com)
Brian Shouse (MLB.com)

Cardinals

Jason Isringhausen (MLB.com)
Braden Looper (MLB.com)
Russ Springer (MLB.com)

Cubs

Bobby Howry (MLB.com)
Kerry Wood (MLB.com)

Diamondbacks

Juan Cruz (MLB.com)
Adam Dunn (MLB.com)
Orlando Hudson (MLB.com)
Randy Johnson (MLB.com)
Brandon Lyon (MLB.com)

Dodgers

Joe Beimel (MLB.com)
Casey Blake (MLB.com)
Jeff Kent (MLB.com)
Derek Lowe (MLB.com)
Greg Maddux (MLB.com)
Brad Penny (MLB.com)
Manny Ramirez (MLB.com)

Mariners

Raul Ibanez (MLB.com)

Marlins

Luis Gonzalez (MLB.com)
Paul Lo Duca (MLB.com)
Arthur Rhodes (MLB.com)

Mets

Moises Alou (MLB.com)
Luis Ayala (MLB.com)
Oliver Perez (MLB.com)

Padres

Trevor Hoffman (MLB.com)

Phillies

Pat Burrell (MLB.com)
Jamie Moyer (MLB.com)
Rudy Seanez (MLB.com)

Rangers

Milton Bradley (MLB.com)

Reds

David Weathers (MLB.com)

Red Sox

Paul Byrd (MLB.com)
Jason Varitek (MLB.com)

Rockies

Brian Fuentes (MLB.com)

Royals

Mark Grudzielanek (MLB.com)

Tigers

Edgar Renteria (MLB.com)

Twins

Dennys Reyes (MLB.com)

White Sox

Orlando Cabrera

Yankees

Bobby Abreu (MLB.com)
Mike Mussina (MLB.com)
Andy Pettitte (MLB.com)
Ivan Rodriguez (MLB.com)

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Comments

According to ESPN,

the Yankees have declined arbitration on all 8 of their FA’s:
Pettite, Giambi, Ponson, Mussina (retiring), Abreu, Pavano, Chad Moeller, and Pudge.

href=“http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3737792”

by BobbyV_Incognito on Dec 1, 2008 6:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Added Mussina and Pudge

by Eric Simon on Dec 1, 2008 6:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

how much do you think abrue would cost?

hes going to be 35 and in his decline but if we can get a short contract i think he’s still worth looking at. Tatis should not be a starter going into the season and as much as i like murphy, i think another year of the bench would is probably best.

abreu’s OBP slipped a bit the last to year from his career average (an excellent .405) but it was still decent at .369 and .371. He played in 156 games last year and had an OPS+ of 120. it’ll cost no draft picks so how high would you go for say, 2 years of abreu? beltran, church and abreu starting plus murph and chevez on the bench is a pretty nice outfield.

anyway not trying to start a abreu bandwagon but his name in red intrigued me.

by kendynamo on Dec 1, 2008 6:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'd be up for it, if the price was right.

But since he made $16 million last year, and he’s almost 35, I doubt he’s looking for a short-term, relatively cheap deal right now. But in this economy, I think a lot of veterans are going to find themselves either taking a big pay cut, or staying home come springtime. Worth noting that not only did Abreu’s OBP drop, but his SLG% has been below his career average the past 2 seasons. Yeah, he’s pretty durable, but we shouldn’t expect his production to get any better.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Dec 1, 2008 6:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

According to SI,

The D-Backs are leaning against offering Dunn arbitration. href=“http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/hot_stove/posts/28141-dbacks-lukewarm-on-dunn-arbitration”

by BobbyV_Incognito on Dec 1, 2008 7:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not sure what you're doing with those links

But they’re getting all effed up.

by Eric Simon on Dec 1, 2008 7:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

Apparently, I’m going to have to re-learn how to post links, too.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Dec 1, 2008 11:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How about this guy?

Looks like a cleanup hitter to me!

" Whatcha got ain't nothin new. This country's hard on people, you can't stop what's coming, it ain't all waiting on you. That's vanity. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Dec 1, 2008 8:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Is that Miguel Cabrera?…I have heard he let himself go during offseasons, at least when he was with Florida, but this, I had no idea

by Fucilli5 on Dec 1, 2008 9:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it was Bartolo Colon...

…from his one interleague AB last year. As I recall he whiffed on a 72 mph no-ball, fell to his knees and ended up on the DL for three weeks.

Even funnier because I’m in no way exaggerating.

Rock me, sexy Jesus...

by nuthinboutnuthin on Dec 1, 2008 10:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for doing this Eric

PS I’m all for Wood now as well as Dunn

by Sokojoe on Dec 1, 2008 9:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

D-Backs

Offered arbitration to Cruz, Hudson, and Lyon
Declined arbitration to Dunn and Johnson
(MLB.com – D-Backs)

I still hope the Mets make an offer for Cruz

by Reg Dunlop on Dec 1, 2008 10:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Added

I can’t see coughing up a first round pick for Juan Cruz. Adam Dunn, on the other hand, just got a whole lot more attractive.

by Eric Simon on Dec 1, 2008 10:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i agree about dunn

it doesn’t seem like there’s enough interest in the market to enable dunn to get a long-term deal, so the mets might be able get for him for 2-3 years and only have to give up cash. that’s a deal i can support.
and with the beltran in center and endy around for late innings, his defense shouldn’t be too much of a liability.

by englishgrey on Dec 2, 2008 12:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes indeed, how about signing

Dunn, Wood, Ayala and Beimel. Then revive the supposed trade of Heilman and Feliciano for Street. Eat Castillo’s $ and swap him for Vasquez.

Reyes (SS)
Murphy (2B)
Beltran (CF)
Delgado (1B)
Wright (3B)
Dunn (LF)
Church (RF)
Schneider/Castro (C – platoon)

Santana
Pelfrey
Maine
Vasquez
Perez or Neise

Wood
Street
Ayala
Beimel
Schoenweis (LOOGY)
Smith (ROOGY)
Sanchez

Castro ©
Tatis (3B/OF)
Evans (1B/OF)
Chavez (OF)
Reyes (2B/SS)

It doesn’t look amazing but it’s an upgrade in rotation, offense and bullpen for a team that won 89 games… could be looking at 95 wins with this team. Also there would be enough salary flexibility to add pitching in July if needed…

by deadspy3 on Dec 2, 2008 4:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I love it

except I’d replace Sanchez with Brian Stokes.

Today’s news should effectively end the Mets interest in Raul Ibanez. Dunn, Burrell and even Abreu are a heckuva lot more enticing now.

by JamesK on Dec 2, 2008 8:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

Please let this be the death knell for Raul Ibanez-related conversation out of our front office.

'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Dec 2, 2008 9:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Vasquez has...

… gone to the Braves now anyway. Oh well.

by deadspy3 on Dec 3, 2008 4:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I didnt think it wouldl happen anyways, Williams isn't that dumb

by Sokojoe on Dec 3, 2008 9:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Have you seen the package

The Braves gave up for him?

by Gina on Dec 3, 2008 11:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup

Flowers, Lillibridge plus two others is far better than Castillo not even considering the money.

Via minorleagueball.com

Tyler Flowers, C, Grade B: Love the power and walks, main question is glove.
Brent Lillibridge, SS, Grade B

To put Sickles grade B’s into perspective, the Mets Niese and Kunz were B level prospects last year, Kunz was rated on a limited sample size though

by Sokojoe on Dec 3, 2008 12:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

PS

I hate the Braves surplus of catchers

by Sokojoe on Dec 3, 2008 12:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't disagree that they're far better than Castillo

I just think it was still a horrible deal for the Whitesox considering the how good Vazquez is. And fwiw baseball prospectus only had flowers in their top 11 out of the players traded I believe.

by Gina on Dec 3, 2008 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's a fair point

I do think the White Sox undervalued Vasquez, Swisher as well while we’re at it, but it’s important to note that it was also some kind of weird manny-esqe situation where Guillian hated those two guys so Williams was forced to make a trade with other teams knowing he had to make a deal.

Williams makes some real head sctratchers, but my point was more that for as flawed as Williams is, I don’t believe even he would have done the Mets-fan pipedream of Castillo for Vasquez.

by Sokojoe on Dec 3, 2008 1:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

or he could get rid of Guillen because he's a moron

by JoshNY on Dec 3, 2008 3:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But in his defense

Guillen does curse during public interviews, I like that in a manager.

by Sokojoe on Dec 3, 2008 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

True

Ozzy may be a pretty terrible manager, but damn if he ain’t entertaining.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Dec 3, 2008 7:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Now if he would just incorporate...

…spitting on the ground in disgust right after he’s finished cussing. Oh man! That’d be off the top!

" CITI...It's only money. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Dec 4, 2008 6:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh and PS

I hate the Braves and everything about them. Half my family is from NC/GA, and huge braves fans, and I currently go to school in NC so I am braves overloaded.

by Gina on Dec 3, 2008 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ouch

Can’t say I can relate, I have the opposite, my entire family consits of Mets fan and I went to school in Binghamton meaning for 5 bucks I got to watch Niese, Murphy, Evans, Milledge, FMart, Petit, and Kazmir all while getting two beers for the price of one on Tuesdays and Thursday.

by Sokojoe on Dec 3, 2008 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Lucky you

My father and sister both ‘root’ for the Yankees, and my brother for the Braves and the Yankees.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Dec 3, 2008 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hate to tell you this

but I think your brother is the anti-christ. I’m pretty sure there was a passage in the Book of Revelation about “beware the one who roots for the Yankees and Braves, for he will end the world,” or something along those lines.

He doesn’t happen to root for the Cowboys and the Lakers by any chance, does he?

by cjmulrain on Dec 3, 2008 11:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dude probably roots for the Cowboys and the Eagles.

'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Dec 3, 2008 11:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rangers

Offered arbitration to Milton Bradley
(MLB.com – Rangers)

He just became even less attractive.

by Reg Dunlop on Dec 1, 2008 11:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Saw that

He’s a Type B, so he wouldn’t actually cost the signing team anything.

by Eric Simon on Dec 1, 2008 11:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bradley

OK, it does make him a more attractive option, he’s still fragile and insane.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Dec 1, 2008 11:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

how is bradley not a type A free agent?

he had a .999 OPS in 414 ABs….is it because he spent most of his time at DH?

by englishgrey on Dec 2, 2008 12:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bradley

It’s not the DH; it’s because he only accrued 753 plate appearances over the past two seasons. For the sake of perspective, Jose Reyes had 763 plate appearances last year alone.

by Eric Simon on Dec 2, 2008 12:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

didn't realize the two previous seasons were considered

only thought 2008 stats were used. thanks for enlightening me!

by englishgrey on Dec 2, 2008 12:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Basically,

Bradley’s Alou with impulse control problems. Pass.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Dec 2, 2008 12:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What about

Izzy and/or Looper? I wouldn’t mind either of them back in our pen, though not as closers. Izzy was awful this past year, so he should be cheap, and he was very good in ‘05 and ’07 (decent in ’06), so maybe he’s an every-other-year kinda guy, like Robb Nen used to be. Plus, you gotta admit, it would be nice symmetry if Izzy pitches well out of our pen and helps us win a championship…you know, like he was supposed to do 14 years ago (hard to believe it’s been that long.)

by cjmulrain on Dec 1, 2008 11:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nice choice of colors...

…For the Christmas season.

" Whatcha got ain't nothin new. This country's hard on people, you can't stop what's coming, it ain't all waiting on you. That's vanity. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Dec 2, 2008 8:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Or a traffic light.

'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Dec 2, 2008 9:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

(In my best south of the border accent)

I don’t see no stinking yellow.

" Whatcha got ain't nothin new. This country's hard on people, you can't stop what's coming, it ain't all waiting on you. That's vanity. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Dec 3, 2008 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

so now that we’ve agreed that teams are more cognizant than ever of the draft picks they surrender by signing type A’s, how does a guy like Jamie Moyer get a job? I don’t know if he’s worth a draft pick at league minimum

by HotChipWillBreakYourLegs on Dec 2, 2008 9:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Moyer

He wasn’t offered arbitration, so it doesn’t matter.

by Eric Simon on Dec 2, 2008 9:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i'm retarded

or red/green colorblind.

I thought I was making a really good point

by HotChipWillBreakYourLegs on Dec 2, 2008 9:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Your point still holds

for guys like Varitek and Darren Oliver, who will have a tough time signing somewhere else. I can’t see a scenario where I’d trade a first round pick straight-up for Varitek, let alone pay him money on top of it.

by Eric Simon on Dec 2, 2008 9:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I believe that's why the Sox offered him arbitration

they basically shut down the market for him. They now have huge leverage on him. I also thought Oliver agreed to a deal but I guess the reporting was premature.

by Sokojoe on Dec 2, 2008 10:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oliver

Yeah, I thought he’d already re-upped, too. Could have sworn it was done.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Dec 2, 2008 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Randy Johnson

I know he’s not a “NY” pitcher, but sign that man up.

by Sokojoe on Dec 2, 2008 10:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Pass.

'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Dec 2, 2008 10:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

I mean there are plenty of reasons to be against RJ, but such a quick, concise “Pass.” I was going to write up his many positives but instead i’ll just put this excellent link

We need another starter, short term deal is nice, price my be undervalued due to unlucky season and we get to keep our first round.

by Sokojoe on Dec 2, 2008 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would take him for a year

He is still likely to K 8-9 per 9

by Reg Dunlop on Dec 2, 2008 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

I suppose it depends on the money/years etc. (when doesn’t it?), but I’m skeptical. He did post solid numbers this year and, wow, the Bill James projections for 2009 seem optimisitc but, given the Mets’ recent history with old guys, I guess I’m a bit gun-shy on a 44-year-old with disc problems.

Could I see him slotting in as a solid 3/4 pitcher? Yeah, I suppose. But I would hope it would be a one-year deal on very favorable financial terms.

'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Dec 2, 2008 11:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

RJ

Agreed. The Mets could do a whole lot worse than Randy Johnson for a year.

by Eric Simon on Dec 2, 2008 11:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hells yeah.

Over 9K/9, K/BB of 4? Yeah, we could do very much worse than sign Randy Johnson. Plus, he’s got to be motivated to get over 300 wins. I’d definitely back a 1 or 2 year deal with him. Santana, Maine, Johnson, Pelfrey. That’s a solid 1-4.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Dec 2, 2008 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dream offseason

Sign Johnson, Lowe, Wood, Hoffman, and trade Heilman+Evans for Street.
1. Johan
2. Lowe
3. Pelfrey
4. Maine
5. Johnson

Potentially one of the best overall staffs in baseball. A lot of signings, but none are prohibitively expensive. Of course, I realize this will never happen.

by yellomellojello on Dec 3, 2008 10:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that would be

amazing

by cjmulrain on Dec 3, 2008 11:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

if he wasn't so close to 300

I’d almost say they should offer him money to be a closer. He could probably still be dominant in that role.

by cjmulrain on Dec 2, 2008 1:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Burrell or Dunn?

For similar money/years I would take Dunn. But Burrell makes the market decision a bit more interesting.

by Reg Dunlop on Dec 2, 2008 10:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

i kinda hope we dont get burrell

so i can continue hating him.

by kendynamo on Dec 2, 2008 11:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dunn v. Burrell

Dunn’s way better with the stick, but Burrell is less awful with the leather. With Beltran in center, and Endy on the bench, there’s a little less to be worried about with defense.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Dec 2, 2008 6:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brocail

Not that I’m interested in him, but according to the Astros website he wasn’t offered arbitration.
He’s been a serviceable middle reliever during his career but he will probably want good money given coming off a solid year.

by Reg Dunlop on Dec 2, 2008 12:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

holy crap

no compensatory picks required to sign Dunn? get on that shit, Omar.

by JoshNY on Dec 2, 2008 12:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Is he

in better shape than most 25 year olds?

If not pass.

by Gina on Dec 2, 2008 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Heh

Sounds like a rule to live by for our front office lately, as long as the player in question is over 30.

Maybe we could sign Rickey after he gets voted into the Hall?

'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Dec 2, 2008 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You are absolutley right

F’ Dunn, he’s out of shape and I hear he doesn’t even love the game. Dunn plays the game like it’s his job, give me a Dan Murphy who plays the game like he’s all business, better yet, give me Ibanez who is not only a professional but as we all know he is in better shape than most 25 year olds. Plus, CC is a fatass, give me Braden Looper, I get drunk just looking at his six-pack.

by Sokojoe on Dec 2, 2008 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Adam Dunn is a musclebound Adonis

I don’t know if that’s actually true, but I will swear that it is if it will make Omar try to sign him instead of Ibanez.

by JoshNY on Dec 2, 2008 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wood vs K-rod

Please please please Omar, don’t be fooled by the shiny save stat.

by Gina on Dec 2, 2008 4:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wood's

shoulder scares the living crap out of me.

by cjmulrain on Dec 2, 2008 6:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He's good

But I’ll take Fuentes.

Hell, sign em both up.

Who's world is it? It's yours.

by BlackOps on Dec 2, 2008 9:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My thinking

Is that by saving the draft pick, and likely some money/years by going with Lowe we’d be able to afford to bring in more proven arms. I’m not as concerned with filling the closer role as with improving the bullpen from top to bottom. If we saved the draft pick by bringing in Wood trading a prospect, or prospects, for Street doesn’t hurt as much and/or using a type a on a guy like Cruz.. Or using the money to bring in guys like Hoffman or Lyon or every day Eddie. It’s probably just a pipe dream but to me Wood + some combination of 2 of the other guys I mentioned is better than K-rod/Fuentes and maybe only one of them, even with the injury risk.

Although obviously Fuentes and Wood would be better but I imagine we’d end up spending like 20 million+ for the two of them.

by Gina on Dec 3, 2008 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

You’re like the anithesis of the folks at MetsBlog. Most of those people are all “K-ROD OR BUST!!!” and can’t seem to fathom any other possibilities, let alone the notion that the whole bullpen needs help.

'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Dec 3, 2008 2:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

wasnt metsblog also full of huge Zito boosters?

pretty happy that didnt work out

by kendynamo on Dec 3, 2008 2:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Funny thought

If I had the stomach for it I might check it out. Alas . . .

'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Dec 3, 2008 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yea

I barely ever post at Metsblog anymore b/c the vast majority of people over there are utter morons. That, or trolls.

I still think Cerrone does a great job of pulling together all the big stories in Metsdom and putting them in one place, but I prefer sites like this for the actual discussion with intelligent fans

by cjmulrain on Dec 3, 2008 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs