BY SCOTT LAUBERSo much for that arbitration talk.
The midnight deadline has come and gone, and although the Phillies aren't commenting yet, we have reason to believe at this hour, based on a conversation with a trusted source, that the Phillies didn't offer arbitration to Type A free agents Pat Burrell and Jamie Moyer.
Surprise.
So, what does this mean? Well, if Burrell and Moyer sign with another team, the Phillies won't receive draft-pick compensation. Evidently, though, they didn't want to risk that Burrell or Moyer would accept an arbitration offer, which would've been tantamount to a one-year contract at a higher salary than their 2008 figure. Burrell made $14 million this year, while Moyer made $7 million, including performance bonuses. The Phillies can still re-sign both players, and they remain hopeful of bringing back Moyer. But, obviously, they aren't interested in keeping either free agent for the same salary. They also didn't offer arbitration to relievers Tom Gordon or Rudy Seanez, but nobody expected that they would.
To me, the decisions on Moyer and Burrell reveal a greater willingness by the Phillies to talk about long-term deals with many of their 10 arbitration-eligible players, including Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino. Ryan Madson and Jayson Werth may be even bigger priorities, since both will be free agents after next season. If the Phillies lose Burrell, they'll seemingly need to lock up Werth and Victorino. Madson became a critical piece of the bullpen, and everyone knows how critical Howard and Hamels are to the nucleus of the World Series champs.
Stay tuned for more.
(Updated, 11:57 a.m.): Still surprised by the non-offers to Moyer and Burrell, and judging by your comments, you are, too. That said, across baseball, only 24 free agents were offered arbitration, although that was up from 17 last year, according to the Associated Press.
So, which free agents got offers? Mostly, it was the usual suspects: Casey Blake (Dodgers), Milton Bradley (Rangers), A.J. Burnett (Blue Jays), Paul Byrd (Red Sox), Orlando Cabrera (White Sox), Juan Cruz (Diamondbacks), Brian Fuentes (Rockies), Jon Garland (Angels), Mark Grudzielanek (Royals), Orlando Hudson (Diamondbacks), Raul Ibanez (Mariners), Derek Lowe (Dodgers), Brandon Lyon (Diamondbacks), Darren Oliver (Angels), Oliver Perez (Mets), Manny Ramirez (Dodgers), Dennys Reyes (Twins), Francisco Rodriguez (Angels), CC Sabathia (Brewers), Ben Sheets (Brewers), Brian Shouse (Brewers), Mark Teixiera (Angels), Jason Varitek (Red Sox), David Weathers (Reds).
Who wasn't offered arbitration? Well, the Yankees didn't offer to any of their free agents (Andy Pettitte, Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi). Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine didn't get offers either. And, of potential interest to the Phillies, relievers Russ Springer and Doug Brocail didn't get arbitration offers.
5 comments:
I submit this as an epic fail.
This is a head-scratcher for me. I know that we have salaries increasing for 09, but I imagine that they should be able to afford a few pleasantries with the revenue of those "Phinally" t-shirts alone.
Looks like I'm wrong.
This move makes absolutely no sense. Even if you want to lock up a few players long term, you still need a good LF. And it isn't like they have one of the best farm systems in baseball and would suffer from having extra draft picks.
No excuse. This has everything to do with money and nothing to do with getting the team better. This move saves them millions of dollars in signing bonuses for the extra 1st round draft picks they'd get if these guys leave. Now they get nothing, and the Reading Phillies and Iron Pigs will continue to be the worst teams in their leagues because of moves like this.
No wonder Arbuckle left.
I wonder if this is Amaro's way of saying that he is prepared to have a rotation of two rookies out of spring training?
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