Arbitration stuff

01/15/09 10:24 PM EST

Tigers must work to avoid arbitration
Detroit's list of eligible players includes newly acquired Jackson, Laird
By Jason Beck / MLB.com



DETROIT -- All five remaining eligible Tigers filed for arbitration on Thursday, the next step in a process that Detroit has averted over the past several years, but it has some work to do to avoid this offseason.
Pitchers Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson, Joel Zumaya and Bobby Seay joined catcher Gerald Laird in filing. The move is essentially procedural, leading to an exchange of salary figures between the team and the player that would take place next Tuesday. The two sides can negotiate on a contract anytime during the process until an arbitration hearing, which would be scheduled Feb. 1-21. Once a hearing takes place, an arbitrator rules in favor of one of the two figures exchanged.

The Tigers have already reached one-year agreements with previously arbitration-eligible players Ramon Santiago, Fernando Rodney and Marcus Thames. They non-tendered reliever Aquilino Lopez in December when they couldn't reach an agreement.

Detroit hasn't faced an arbitration hearing since Dave Dombrowski took over as general manager in 2002, part of a growing trend among clubs to settle rather than face the sometimes antagonistic process of publicly saying why one of its players isn't worth the salary he desires.

"I think you use arbitration if you need to use arbitration," Dombrowski said last week. "Hopefully you negotiate a settlement. [Team vice president/legal counsel] John [Westhoff] does a very good job of that. He has a knack for that. He's very well-prepared. It has been a happenstance that we haven't gone to arbitration here, but I have [in the past]."

As Detroit's young core players have gained more experience, however, the Tigers have faced more and more eligible players and more cases to try to settle. Players with between three and six seasons of service time are eligible for arbitration, as are the top 17 percent of players in terms of service time between two and three seasons.

Those cases, and the accompanying salary raises, were one reason behind some of the payroll focus Detroit faced this offseason. Dombrowski has tried to keep payroll around the same level as last year, around $135 million, but has had to account for potential arbitration cases in the process.

The Tigers aggressively pursued long-term contracts with arbitration-eligible players over the past few offseasons, locking in Jeremy Bonderman, Brandon Inge, Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson through 2010, Curtis Granderson through at least 2013 and Miguel Cabrera through 2015. With Detroit mindful of payroll amid the slumping economy and looking for future help through the farm system, however, one-year deals would appear to be more likely this winter.

Verlander, Zumaya and Jackson are eligible for the first time, having stuck in the big leagues since making the club out of Spring Training in 2006. Verlander has won 46 games over his three-plus seasons while topping 201 innings in each of the past two years, though he's coming off of a frustrating 11-17 season last year. Zumaya became one of baseball's best setup men as a rookie in '06 before battling injuries his past two seasons.

Seay, represented by agent Scott Boras, is eligible for the second time after serving as Detroit's primary left-handed reliever last year, going 1-2 with a 4.47 ERA in a career-high 60 appearances. He avoided arbitration last year with a one-year, $780,000 contract.

Detroit inherited the cases of Jackson and Laird after acquiring them in separate trades in December. Jackson enjoyed a breakout season last year with the Rays, going 14-11 with a 4.42 ERA in 183 1/3 innings. Laird, another Boras client, avoided arbitration with Texas last January by signing a one-year, $1.6 million deal.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

01/15/09 7:43 PM EST
List of players who filed for arbitration

MLB.com

Atlanta Braves: Jeff Francoeur (OF), Mike Gonzalez (RP), Kelly Johnson (2B), Casey Kotchman (1B)

Arizona D-backs: Conor Jackson (1B), Chad Qualls (RP)

Baltimore Orioles: Nick Markakis (OF), Luke Scott (OF), George Sherrill (RP)

Boston Red Sox: Javier Lopez (RP), Jonathan Papelbon (RP), Kevin Youkilis (1B)

Chicago Cubs: Kevin Gregg (RP), Michael Wuertz (RP)

Chicago White Sox: Bobby Jenks (RP)

Cincinnati Reds: Edwin Encarnacion (3B), David Weathers (RP)

Colorado Rockies: Garrett Atkins (3B), Clint Barmes (2B), Taylor Buchholz (RP), Jorge de la Rosa (SP), Jason Grilli (RP), Huston Street (RP)

Detroit Tigers: Edwin Jackson (SP), Gerald Laird (C), Bobby Seay (RP), Justin Verlander* (SP), Joel Zumaya (RP)

Florida Marlins: Alfredo Amezaga (OF), Jorge Cantu (3B), Jeremy Hermida (OF), Ricky Nolasco (SP), Cody Ross (OF), Dan Uggla (2B)

Houston Astros: Brandon Backe (SP), Tim Byrdak (RP), Geoff Geary (RP), Humberto Quintero (C), Wandy Rodriguez (SP)

Kansas City Royals: Brian Bannister (SP), John Buck (C), Jimmy Gobble (RP), Zack Greinke (SP), Mike Jacobs (1B), Joel Peralta (RP), Mark Teahen (OF)

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Maicer Izturis (SS), Mike Napoli (C), Darren Oliver (RP), Robb Quinlan (3B), Ervin Santana (SP)

Los Angeles Dodgers: Jonathan Broxton (RP), Andre Ethier (OF), Russell Martin (C), Jason Repko (OF)

Milwaukee Brewers: Prince Fielder (1B), Corey Hart (OF), Seth McClung (RP), Rickie Weeks (2B)

Minnesota Twins: Matt Guerrier (RP), Jason Kubel (DH)

New York Mets: Ryan Church (OF), Pedro Feliciano (RP), John Maine (SP), Angel Pagan (OF), Jeremy Reed (OF), Duaner Sanchez (RP)

New York Yankees: Brian Bruney (RP), Melky Cabrera (OF), Xavier Nady (OF)

Oakland A's: Justin Duchscherer (SP)

Philadelphia Phillies: Joe Blanton (SP), Greg Dobbs (3B), Chad Durbin (RP), Cole Hamels (SP), Ryan Howard (1B), Ryan Madson (RP), Shane Victorino (OF), Jayson Werth (OF)

Pittsburgh Pirates: Zach Duke (SP), John Grabow (RP), Adam LaRoche (1B), Paul Maholm (SP), Nate McLouth (OF), Tyler Yates (RP)

San Diego Padres: Heath Bell (RP)

Seattle Mariners: Erik Bedard (SP), Aaron Heilman (RP), Felix Hernandez (SP)

San Francisco Giants: Jack Taschner (RP)

St. Louis Cardinals: Rick Ankiel (OF), Chris Duncan (OF), Ryan Ludwick (OF), Brad Thompson (RP), Todd Wellemeyer (SP)

Tampa Bay Rays: Willy Aybar (3B), Jason Bartlett (SS), Dioner Navarro (C)

Texas Rangers: Marlon Byrd (OF), Frank Francisco (RP), C.J. Wilson (RP)

Toronto Blue Jays: Jeremy Accardo (RP), Jose A. Bautista (3B), Shawn Camp (RP), Jason Frasor (RP), Brandon League (RP), Brian Tallet (RP)

Washington Nationals: Shawn Hill (SP), Scott Olsen (SP), Josh Willingham (OF), Ryan Zimmerman (3B)

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Tigers ink four, ponder Verlander terms
Sides about $1 million apart on deal for upcoming season

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

DETROIT -- For the second straight year, the Tigers avoided arbitration on a slew of potential cases by settling on the day players and teams were scheduled to exchange figures. This year, however, the Tigers will still have one major case remaining.

The Tigers reached agreements Tuesday on one-year deals with four of their five remaining arbitration-eligible players -- relievers Joel Zumaya and Bobby Seay, right-hander Edwin Jackson and catcher Gerald Laird. However, they have yet to reach an agreement with top starter Justin Verlander, setting the stage for a hearing next month if the two sides can't make up their difference.

The two sides exchanged figures Tuesday -- Verlander at $4.15 million, the Tigers at $3.2 million. The Tigers haven't gone to an arbitration hearing since Dave Dombrowski took on general manager duties in 2002.

Both Jackson and Laird came over to Detroit in December trades. Neither will have to start out their Tigers tenures with a hearing. Jackson settled for a reported $2.2 million salary, while Laird will reportedly earn $2.8 million.

Jackson was eligible for arbitration for the first time after coming over from the American League champion Rays, where the 25-year-old right-hander enjoyed a breakout season in his sixth year in the Majors. Jackson's 14 wins, 183 1/3 innings and 4.42 ERA all marked career bests as the former Dodgers prospect became a mainstay in the Tampa Bay rotation. However, he was shifted to the bullpen for the postseason, pitching 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball over three appearances.

Jackson projects as the fourth starter in Detroit alongside Verlander, Armando Galarraga and Jeremy Bonderman in the rotation. His pure stuff, including a mid-90s fastball, gives him the potential to further blossom on a Tigers staff looking to rebound from a disappointing 2008 season that saw nearly all of Detroit's young pitchers fall back from their previous couple seasons.

The Tigers acquired Laird from the Rangers to fill their catching void that started with the July 30 trade of Ivan Rodriguez and continued into the offseason. The 29-year-old is coming off of a season in which he hit .276 with six home runs and 41 RBIs in 95 games and 344 at-bats, but is expected to garner the bulk of the playing time in Detroit.

Defensively, Laird threw out 21 of 74 would-be basestealers. His experience is expected to be one of many keys for a Tigers pitching staff trying to bounce back from a generally struggling 2008 season.

Laird was eligible for arbitration for the second time. The Scott Boras client settled with the Rangers last January on a one-year, $1.6 million contract.

Like Verlander, Zumaya emerged as a key part of the Tigers' run to the World Series in his rookie season of 2006. Armed with a fastball that often topped 100 mph, Zumaya overpowered opponents for 97 strikeouts and a .187 batting average over 83 1/3 innings that year on his way to 30 holds and a 1.94 ERA.

His two seasons since have been defined by injuries -- a ruptured tendon in his right-middle finger early in the 2007 season, a home accident that fall that resulted in a damaged shoulder joint and reconstructive surgery, then a stress fracture in his shoulder late last season. He began a throwing program earlier this month, but it's unclear yet whether he'll be ready to pitch in games at the start of the season.

Zumaya, who will reportedly make $735,000 this year, finished the 2008 season with an 0-2 record and a 3.47 ERA in 21 outings, covering 23 1/3 innings. He allowed a lone earned run and racked up 14 strikeouts over 13 2/3 innings from June 27 to July 25 before picking up both of his losses with six earned runs over seven innings in his ensuing seven games.

If the 24-year-old can recover and regain his fastball, it would be a major boost to a Tigers bullpen that will have to rely on some unproven arms. It could also put Zumaya back on a career track that seemingly had him poised to move into Detroit's closer role last year before his shoulder injury. The contract agreement eliminates one potential distraction.

While Seay might not have been a high-profile case, he's one of just two players assured of spots in Detroit's bullpen this year. After emerging in 2007 as Detroit's primary lefty specialist, Seay set career highs with 60 appearances, 56 1/3 innings and 58 strikeouts last year. Yet his batting average allowed to left-handed hitters rose from .209 two years ago to .303 in 2008, including a .770 OPS. By contrast, he allowed a .252 average and .711 OPS to right-handed batters. He also walked 25 batters, 10 of them batting from the left side.

Much of that damage came in the season's second half, when he allowed a 6.18 ERA compared to his 2.83 mark heading into the All-Star break. However, he allowed just 16 of 52 inherited runners to score on the year.

Seay was eligible for arbitration for the second time, settling on a reported 1.3 million salary. Including performance incentives, he made $825,000 last season after avoiding arbitration on a one-year contract.

Verlander is one of a few first-year arbitration-eligible pitchers who emerged as front-line starters early in their careers. Seattle's Felix Hernandez settled on a one-year, $3.8 million deal on Monday. Cole Hamels, who won World Series Most Valuable Player honors with the Phillies last fall, reached a three-year, $20.5 million contract with the reigning World Series champions on Sunday.

In Verlander's case, the soon-to-be 26-year-old right-hander won 35 games over his first two seasons and emerged as a young star, tossing a no-hitter against Milwaukee at Comerica Park on June 12, 2007.

As with the vast majority of the Tigers in a last-place season, last year ended up a disappointment for Verlander with an 11-17 record, a 4.84 ERA and questions as to what went wrong. Still, with back-to-back 200-inning seasons and otherwise solid numbers, Verlander remains a cornerstone of the Tigers' future, and a critical part of any turnaround in 2009 under new pitching coach Rick Knapp.

Hmm...they're off by about a million dollars. If I was the Tigers I'd go to arbitration before I'd pay what he wants, I can't see how an arbitrator would award him what he wants given that it's more than what Felix Hernandez earned. Verlander was terrible last year. In the real world, he'd deserve a pay cut. Regardless, he's getting a huge raise.

He'll still get a lot less than similar pitchers. Jon Garland had very similar numbers as Verlander last year and he'll likely get about $8-$10 million.

Not to sound dumb, and I dunno if I asked this before or not, but what is arbitration!?

Free agency and salary arbitration (from wiki)

If a player is drafted and is offered a contract by his drafting team (or any team he is traded to) each year, he may not become a free agent until he has been on a major league roster or disabled list for at least six years. Otherwise, any player without a contract may become a free agent and sign with any team.

A player is eligible for salary arbitration if he:

1. is ineligible for free agency
2. is without a contract
3. cannot agree with his current team on a new contract
4. has been on a major league roster or disabled list for at least three years

"Super Two" exception[3] - A player with at least two years of experience may be eligible for salary arbitration if he:

1. Meets the first three requirements from above
2. Played in the majors for at least 86 days in the previous season
3. Is among the top 17 percent for cumulative playing time in the majors among others with at least 2 years, but less than 3 years experience

In this process, the player and the team both submit a salary offer for a new contract; the arbitrator chooses one number or the other, whichever is thought to be most "fair" given comparable wages among players with similar ability and service time. Players thus rely on arbitration and free agency to increase their salaries.

Players eligible for neither free agency nor salary arbitration are very seldom offered contracts for much more than the league minimum salary, as the player has no recourse to try to obtain a better salary elsewhere. For this reason, in the first three major league years of their careers, players accept comparatively low salaries even when their performance is stellar. This is an accepted practice; talented, young players are usually content to "pay their dues" in this way and earn a chance to negotiate for more in their fourth year. Occasionally, a team may wish to sign a player in his second or third year to a long-term contract, for which negotiation can take place for a much higher salary.

Hope that helps you Garrett.

Chadley Durbin is back on the Phillies, "thus avoiding arbitration"

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Hope that helps you Garrett.

And between Arbitration and Free Agency

Salaries have skyrocketed



A far cry from Mark " The Bird" Making less than 20 thousand in 1976

or Al Kaline making 93,000 in 1970

Yep, that helped, thanks gogetem.

Tigers sign Justin Verlander

The Tigers today said they have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander, thus avoiding arbitration with him.

An arbitration hearing had been scheduled for Feb. 13.

Verlander finished 11-17 with a 4.84 ERA and 163 strikeouts in 33 starts for the Tigers in 2008. He tied for fifth in the American League with a career-high 33 starts.

In 97 starts during his major league career, Verlander is 46-34 with a 4.11 ERA.

Verlander was tabbed the American League Rookie of the Year in 2006 and was selected to the AL All-Star squad in 2007.

He'd better shape up this season! He's lucky he has a job!!!

GO JUSTIN!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tigers, Verlander avoid arbitration
Pitcher settles for $3.675 million, bringing team close to 10-percent payroll cut with four left to sign.
Tom Gage / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- If the Tigers were looking to trim 10 percent from last year's payroll of nearly $138 million, their goal is now clearly in sight.

By settling with arbitration-eligible Justin Verlander at $3.675 million Tuesday, the Tigers saw their 2009 payroll climb to nearly $122 million for players expected to be on the 25-man roster.

If the $1.2 million of pitcher Rick Porcello's major league contract is included, the Tigers are above $123 million with four players from the anticipated roster still unsigned -- pitchers Zach Miner and Armando Galarraga, utilityman Ryan Raburn and whichever low-cost candidate they eventually keep as their 25th player.

How ever you cut it, they'll come in about $125 million, the second-highest payroll in their history but a tick down from '08.

Even if Verlander had gone to arbitration and won, the Tigers would have been cost cutters. He had filed for $4.15 million, with the team countering at $3.2 million.

The agreement split the difference, keeping the Tigers' record intact of not having a case go to arbitration since Dave Dombrowski took over after the '01 season.

"Sure we're proud of that," said John Westhoff, vice president, baseball legal counsel and numbers-crunching negotiator for the Tigers. "Arbitration isn't a pleasant process for anyone.

"These were difficult negotiations. But we had very productive discussions in January leading up to the exchange of numbers."

Pitching last year for a base salary of $500,000, Verlander knew he was going to come away pleased no matter what.

Having the worst of his three full seasons in 2008 didn't help, but while speaking during the Tigers' recent caravan, it was clear that win-or-settle, he had faith in the process.

"It's a system that's been built for this reason," he said, "so that means it usually works out to be pretty fair."

Verlander, who'll turn 26 on Feb. 20, isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2011 season.

Quote :

four players from the anticipated roster still unsigned -- pitchers Zach Miner and Armando Galarraga, utilityman Ryan Raburn and whichever low-cost candidate they eventually keep as their 25th player.

Gala and Miner deserve raises.