No arbitration for Bobby Abreu or Andy Pettitte
Surprising development, as the Yankees declined today to offer arbitration to Bobby Abreu. That they passed on Andy Pettitte and everyone else was less surprising.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman, in a statement released by the team, said: "The determination we made today was to make sure that we control what amount we’d be spending, at least in the event that we’re fortunate enough to bring those players back. We did not want to put ourselves in the position of having that determined by a third party without knowing what the figure would be."
It's interesting, and it shows that even the Yankees aren't immune to this bad economy. Signing Abreu to a one-year deal for $17 million or $18 million _ what Abreu probably would have gotten, had he accepted arbitration _ is an appealing option for a big-market team like the Yankees. Unless you simply don't want to overspend like that.
Cashman said, "We’ll still stay engaged with the entire free-agent market, including those two players," referring to Abreu and Pettitte. But that's it for Abreu, who figures to get at least a two-year deal from someone, even in this difficult offseason for players.
The Yankees were concerned that Abreu would accept, and while three months ago, that would've been fine, now, given what has gone down in our country, that would've been daunting to their overall budget. They're paying a heavy price for such concern. By not offering arbitration, they gave up two draft picks they would've received if Abreu had signed elsewhere. Given the likelihood that they'll sacrifice their own picks by signing Type A free agents who HAVE been offered arbitration by their respective teams, the Yankees will be left with just two picks (the first- and second-round picks they recouped by not signing their 2008 selections) in the first two rounds in '09, including the sandwich round.
Pettitte, meanwhile, is going to have to take a paycut wherever he goes, and frankly, if he signs with another team for, say, $13 million instead of the Yankees' $11 million, Pettitte will take a hit to his reputation.
Meanwhile, speaking of arbitration offers that could be accepted, that notion has Ben Sheets' name written all over it. Coming off an excellent season that was marred by arm problems at the end, Sheets could do very well on a one-year deal with the Brewers, who would surely feel much better about CC Sabathia's departure if they still have Sheets.
I was covering Super Bowl XXXV for The Bergen Record, and I was interviewing, I think, the secondary coach for the Baltimore Ravens. Can't remember his name. It was myself, Dr. Z. and some radio foof from Baltimore seated around a table. A "foof" is essentially an unintelligent windbag.
The foof asked a number of questions of the coach, moving his mircophone to and fro as he and the coach partook in the dialogue. I, getting impatient, asked the coach some questions concerning my story (I think I was writing about Chris McAlister and some other highly regarded defensive back), and the foof stuck his mike in front of my face, to record my questions. I didn't care enough to fight it, plus, as a baseball writer in football territory, I wasn't sure of the protocol.
Then the foof shifted the mike to Dr. Z., an offer to let Dr. Z. ask his questions. Dr. Z. growled, "Get that ___ microphone out of my face!"
Here's to you unwittingly providing more laughs to other media folks you'll never meet, Dr. Z.
Thanks to the IMDb for the photo.
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Comments (11)
Ken, when a player goes to arbitration with a team, is the new deal considered a brand-new, separate contract? In other words, do all provisions in the previous contract -- such as no-trade clauses -- disappear?
Because I was just thinking that even if Bobby had accepted arbitration and ended up making 16-17 mil a year, wouldn't that have put the Yankees in the position of trading him? Wouldn't a team like the Cubs jump at the chance to get him for just one year?
Yes, you are correct, baileywalk. I don't think the Cubs would've jumped to get him at 1/17. They would've jumped at 1/11. Would it have been worth it for the Yankees to pay $6 million for Abreu to play elsewhere? How good would the return have been? Don't know - just throwing that out there. I don't have a strong opinion on this one.
The Yanks not offering arbitration to Abreu is surprising. If you have told me in August that the Yanks would not offer arbitration to Abreu, I would say the Yanks would be crazy not to and they would receive draft picks. Instead, if Abreu sign with another team, the Yanks will get nothing in return. Pettitte is not a surprise considering the fact that the Yanks ask him to take a pay cut from the $16 million he made this year.
Wait...Ken, with it being a brand new contract, does that mean a player who accepts arbitration could lose his 10/5 status?? (I'm not referring to Abreu, just wondering in general)
JE seems to be missing, but I think the Mets should look at Abreu. I dont know why he has so little love in the Bronx, I think he's in the third tier.
Elite, Excellent, Very Good. He's very good.
I thought all along that the Abreu would not be offered arbitration. What surprised me was when it began to look like the Yankees would. I would like to see someone with a bit more power and better defensive skills replace him.
10/5 status is covered in the CBA, not individual player contracts.
James K: Interesting analysis on BB's HOF credentials. Good job with that.
No surprise the Mets offer Oilver Perez arbitration.
Jack, you rather let Abreu go without getting draft picks in return? Ken bought up the point of how important getting draft picks is if Abreu signs elsewhere if the Yanks had offer arbitration.
RG, as far as replacement players that are currently active in baseball, Jaime Walker is pitching for the Orioles and Rob Mahay is pitching for the Royals. Kevin Millar, Matt Herges and Brendan Donnelly are currently free agents.
They have last year's picks and, yes, I would rather the Yankees avoid paying him $18 million for 2009, which he probably would have received. The picks aren't worth the difference between $11 mill and $18 mill. We've seen so many of these high round picks bomb out anyway.
The Yankees obviously got spooked about the market for Abreu. They had to seriously think he might have accepted arbitration. But I think they psyched themselves out on this one. I find it hard to believe that Abreu isn't going to find a multi-year deal out there for himself. Someone is going to give Bobby three years. The Yankees were too cautious here.
OMG Kevin Millar is a replacement player?? I'm shcoked. I thought he was well liked by his teammates?? Aren't all replacement players dispised??
Personally, you know I respect them all and have no issues with them.
Dennis, I sometimes wonder how you get all this info! Its awesome.
Richie, I'm pretty certain Dennis isn't actually a person, but rather some sort of quick-response database. :)
Is there such a thing as judicious overspending? If so, the Yanks seem to be practicing it.
Prayers for Paul Zimmerman. His columns are the only thing that keep me remotely interested in football. Plus they are funny as hell. Hope he gets better and back to the keyboard soon.