Arbitration Numbers

[filihok]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/0...ation-fig.html

Ryan Howard: $18MM.  Phillies: $14MM.  Diff: $4MM.
Prince Fielder: $8MM.  Brewers: $6MM.  Diff: $2MM.
Garrett Atkins: $7.95MM.  Rockies: $6.65MM.  Diff: $1.3MM.
Dan Uggla: $5.35MM.  Marlins: $4.4MM.  Diff: $950K.
Justin Duchscherer: $4.6MM.  A's: $3MM.  Diff: $1.6MM.
David Weathers: $4.6MM.  Reds: $3MM.  Diff: $1.6MM.
Zack Greinke: $4.4MM.  Royals $3.4MM.  Diff: $1MM.
Ryan Ludwick: $4.35MM.  Cardinals: $2.8MM.  Diff: 1.55MM.
Justin Verlander: $4.15MM.  Tigers: $3.2MM.  Diff: $950K.
Jeff Francoeur: $3.95MM.  Braves: $2.8MM.  Diff: $1.15MM.
Ryan Zimmerman: $3.9MM.  Nationals: $2.75MM.  Diff: $1.15MM.
Mark Teahen: $3.85MM.  Royals: $3.05MM.  Diff: $800K.
Corey Hart: $3.8MM.  Brewers: $2.7MM.  Diff: $1.1MM.
Mike Jacobs: $3.8MM.  Royals $2.75MM.  Diff: $1.05MM.
Andre Ethier: $3.75MM.  Dodgers: $2.65MM.  Diff: $1.1MM.
Edwin Encarnacion: $3.7MM.  Reds: $2.55MM.  Diff: $1.15MM.
Conor Jackson: $3.65MM.  D'Backs: $2.45MM.  Diff: $1.2MM.
Josh Willingham: $3.6MM.  Nationals: $2.55MM.  Diff: $1.05MM.
Scott Olsen: $3.5MM.  Nationals: $2.5MM.  Diff: $1MM.
Rick Ankiel: $3.3MM.  Cardinals: $2.35MM.  Diff: $950K.
Kelly Johnson: $3.3MM.  Braves: $2.35MM.  Diff: $950K.
Casey Kotchman: $3.25MM.  Braves: $2.475MM.  Diff: $775K.
John Maine: $3MM.  Mets: $2.2MM.  Diff: $800K.
Wandy Rodriguez: $3MM.  Astros: $2.25MM.  Diff: $750K.
Rickie Weeks: $2.8MM.  Brewers: $2MM.  Diff: $800K.
Geoff Geary: $2.1MM.  Astros: $1.425MM.  Diff: $675K.
Brian Bannister: $2.025MM.  Royals: $1.45MM.  Diff: $575K.
Pedro Feliciano: $1.95MM.  Mets: $1.35MM.  Diff: $600K.
Melky Cabrera: $1.7MM.  Yankees: $1.2MM.  Diff: $500K.  UPDATE: signed.
Brian Bruney: $1.55MM.  Yankees: $1.1MM.  Diff: $450K.
Shawn Hill: $775K.  Nationals: $500K.  Diff: $275K.

[filihok]

On a related topic.

Who are the arbitrators and how do they come to a decision?

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

On a related topic.

Who are the arbitrators and how do they come to a decision?

I don't know exactly, but I think it's something like both sides (the team and the player) present their case for why the player is worth the amount both sides have proposed, the arbitrator listens to both sides objectively and comes to a decision on which one is correct.

[filihok]

Thanks, I understand that

I don't understand who the arbitrators are and what process they use to determine, objectively, who is correct

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Thanks, I understand that

I don't understand who the arbitrators are and what process they use to determine, objectively, who is correct

I'd imagine it's probably just judges and similar legal entities. You would probably have a hard time finding a list of who those people specifically are if that's what you mean though. I'd imagine that's kept confidential, but I could be wrong.

[kenny1234]

http://www.mlb4u.com/wiki/index.php/Arbiters
A few names of the arbiters at the end of the article. As the link says, they are lawyers and college law professors that do arbitration cases in many fields - they aren't specialists in baseball.

My guess (based on my understanding of the procedure in the NHL) on a procedure is that it, like all US law, is based on precedent. They look at who are similar players and what are their salaries - and this is the primary reason that the MLBPA cares about how much each free agent signs for. These contracts form the basis for arbitration awards.

[metsguy234]

Mets better agree with John Maine's terms...

[HoustonGM]

My guess (based on my understanding of the procedure in the NHL) on a procedure is that it, like all US law, is based on precedent. They look at who are similar players and what are their salaries - and this is the primary reason that the MLBPA cares about how much each free agent signs for. These contracts form the basis for arbitration awards.

Well, the free agent contracts have little effect on the arbitration awards. First year arb. players are compared to first year arb. players, and so on.

But yeah, arbitration hearings are no fun, which is why most of the time, the team and player end up negotiating a contract before the hearing. The team will basically trot out all the bad things about the player to get the arbiter to rule in favor of them, while the player has to point out all the good things about himself, and it can get real nasty for the players, who have to suffer through THEIR team "putting them down" so to speak.

[TheNamelessPoet]

well... hers hoping francour loses

[wahoosamC]

Howard isn't even worth 10 mill a year. Maybe if he was one of the top 5 at his position it would at least be somewhat reasonable to ask for that. It's sad that he will get at least 14 mill when he's not even a top 35 player in the game.

[Swampdog]

My favorite arbitration of all time was in 1980, when Oakland second baseman Mike Edwards wanted a raise after his '79 season in which he hit .233, .236, .280, with a relatively poor fielding record as well. He initially asked for a 65K salary for 1980, if memory serves, but the club couldn't see it and offered a much lower contract.

Edwards filed for arbitration, reconsidering his apparent value, and submitted the figure of $50,000, which was, as it turned out, actually LOWER than the figure submitted by the A's ($58,000).

Edwards "won" his case, as the arbitrator choose his figure, and he was paid $50,000 for 1980, his last year in baseball.

I remember that pitcher Mike Flanagan found himself in a similar situation (submitted a lower figure than the club did) a couple years or so later, but I don't recall his result.

[skudplayr]

Howard isn't even worth 10 mill a year. Maybe if he was one of the top 5 at his position it would at least be somewhat reasonable to ask for that. It's sad that he will get at least 14 mill when he's not even a top 35 player in the game.

I love to know 34 players that are better than him....give us a list please.

[wahoosamC]

I love to know 34 players that are better than him....give us a list please.

Ranked 47th in VORP last year

http://baseballprospectus.com/statis...php?cid=315099

Only had a WARP3 of 5.4 and there's plenty more than 35 people with a WARP3 higher than that.

Not even a top 20 hitter and when you factor in he plays the least important position, is terrible at it, and is a liability on the bast paths, it all adds up to somebody who isn't a top 35 player.

[bucher34]

A-Rod
Pujols
Wright
Tex
HanRam
M. Cabrera
G. Sizemore
Manny
Pedroia
J. Reyes
Beltran
Prince
Vlad
Holliday
C. Jones
B. Phillips
J. Hamilton
R. Braun
J. Morneau
C. Utley
M. Kemp
J. Mauer
B. Upton
E. Longoria
Ar. Ramirez
Ad. Gonzalez
C. Crawford
B. McCann
N. Markakis
R. Martin
B. Roberts

I think that's only 30, but those players are basically more valuable or produce in more categories I guess. People will probably disagree, but I would rather have most of these over Howard (I really don't like him at all, so it could be a bias thing).

[ragecage]

My favorite arbitration of all time was in 1980, when Oakland second baseman Mike Edwards wanted a raise after his '79 season in which he hit .233, .236, .280, with a relatively poor fielding record as well. He initially asked for a 65K salary for 1980, if memory serves, but the club couldn't see it and offered a much lower contract.

Edwards filed for arbitration, reconsidering his apparent value, and submitted the figure of $50,000, which was, as it turned out, actually LOWER than the figure submitted by the A's ($58,000).

Edwards "won" his case, as the arbitrator choose his figure, and he was paid $50,000 for 1980, his last year in baseball.

50,000 just to suck. Thats a lot of money for 1980.