No arbitration offers to Moyer, Burrell
National League sources confirmed that the midnight deadline to offer arbitration passed with the Phillies passing on all four of their players eligible for free agency: Moyer, leftfielder Pat Burrell and righthanders Tom Gordon and Rudy Seanez. That doesn't mean the defending world champions have closed the door on bringing back any of the affected players, although it is considered unlikely that Gordon or Seanez will be re-signed.
No arbitration offers to Moyer, Burrell
Daily News staff
Paul Hagen reporting ...
Conventional wisdom had it that, if nothing else, the Phillies would offer salary arbitration to at least lefthander Jamie Moyer.
Conventional wisdom whiffed.
National League sources confirmed to the Daily News that the midnight deadline to offer arbitration passed with the Phillies passing on all four of their players eligible for free agency: Moyer, leftfielder Pat Burrell and righthanders Tom Gordon and Rudy Seanez.
That doesn’t mean the defending world champions have closed the door on bringing back any of the affected players, although it is considered unlikely that Gordon or Seanez will be re-signed.
It does appear to mean that, with as many as 10 players up for arbitration — including NLCS and World Series MVP Cole Hamels, NL MVP runner-up Ryan Howard and postseason hero Shane Victorino — the front office is carefully avoiding being backed into a financial corner.
Any player offered arbitration — a process in which a player and the team each submit a salary figure and a three-person panel must choose one or the other — has until Sunday to accept. At that point he becomes, in effect, a signed player although contract negotiations can continue.
The incentive for teams is that if a player is offered arbitration and declines, the club receives draft picks as compensation. Moyer and Burrell, both Type A free agents, would have brought two selections next June in return.
The danger is that a player might unexpectedly accept arbitration rather than continue to test his worth on the free-agent market. That happened to the Phillies with Kevin Millwood and Placido Polanco.
Burrell made $14 million in 2008 and, after hitting 33 homers with 86 RBI, would figure to be well-positioned for a significant raise. And the Phillies don’t seem interested in committing that much of their payroll to a player who, after all, routinely comes out for a defensive replacement in the late innings.
It’s not surprising, then, that the Phillies didn’t offer him arbitration. It’s still early, but there have been few rumors of interest in Burrell except for some loose talk that the Angels might look at him as a first baseman if they lose Mark Teixeira.
Burrell, however, is popular with his teammates and has shown an ability to play in Philadelphia, something not all players can do. And his production won’t be easy to replace. Still, his future in red pinstripes seems doubtful unless his market value retreats.
The Phillies have made no secret of their desire to keep the 46-year-old Moyer, who was a bargain at a base salary of $5.5 million this year while going 16-7 with a 3.71 earned run average. And he has been open about wanting to come back.
So it was surprising that the Phils didn’t offer arbitration. The reason they didn’t appears simple enough: They didn’t want the amount of money they pay him to be decided by a panel or arbitrators.
That’s reasonable enough. Of course, if they can’t come to terms with Moyer the next step — finding a suitable replacement for the rotation — could end up costing even more.
I wanted to wear a t-shirt that said "three-peat"— phdave- Great work, first to report it. I don't know about this move, yes you don't want the Bat getting a pay raise, but Moyer would have made sense. I'm interested to see what happens from there.— werththewait
- Good moves by Ruben. Pat and Moyer can come back on the Phils terms. Now go get Juan Cruz for the pen. Let Happ, Carrasco, Kendrick, Carpenter and Bast.etc. fight it out in spring training for the final two spots in the rotation. Platoon Mayberry with a lefthanded bat Jenkins/Dobbs/Stairs in left.— Dull
- I can't wait to see Burrell hit 40 home runs in the AL.— knxvil
- wow, this is so stupid, yea lets get juan cruz now who is a type a and give up our draft picks then watch pat burrell sign with someone else while we get no picks, great job phils— robm0202
- Terrible moves. Now we won't get any picks when Burrell signs elsewhere (and he will), and will lose picks if we sign Cruz or a starter. Way to start rebuilding that depleted farm system Ruben! And even if Burrell did accept, signing him to a 1-year deal is far from the worst thing that could happen.— PhilliesWS08
Comment removed.- I agree with those saying Burrell should have been offered arbitration. But even if he took it, he would have played just one more year, at $16 mil tops. If he bolted, we would have two picks. However, I do not want Moyer back. How is $5.5 million considered a bargain under any circumstances? Just shows you how sickening celeb/sports salaries have become. People act like Moyer is going to win a Cy Young or something. Granted he did have a good year last year, but the chances of that happening again are slim, the guy will be 47. he was terrible the year before.— scars73
- It always cracks me up about the "GM's" here in the comment section. LOL!— Lonny
- Lonny, u are a nitwit, its called being fans and caring about our team, no one here thinks they can be GM, we just want our team to make the right moves— robm0202
- Sorry Pat, we need that $14mil you made this season to defray the salary we're going to pay to either DLowe and Burnett (or both? [in my dreams, right?]). Baldelli (or some other righty) will be playing in your spot against the lefties, and Jenkins or Dobbs (the one with the hot bat) will be in there against the righthanders. Anyway, thanks for hanging in there Pat, I hope you make a bundle in the AL. Your new team will be getting a class act.— jp
- The economy is affecting the whole offseason process.There wasn't many offered arbitration.The Phillies perception is Moyer really has no othe place to go. So he will ultimately sign with the Phillies.Burrell they did not like pay $14 million for a slow footed outfieldere and an inconsistant bat. So why ofer arbitration / Money will be tight in baseball this year. Pat may just accept arbitration and get a raise to 15 or 16 million. Phillies do not want to spend that much for him.— jmagee1202
- They should have offered arb to Burrell and took the risk of him accepting, which he wouldn't have, in order to get the draft picks. Worst case scenario one more year of Burrell for around $14 million is not the worst thing in the world.— azazo26
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- You guys are mostly idiots. The whole market is down for players who aren't a) Super stars (Manny CC) or B) Great young potential. Pat won't get offered above 10 million by anyone. Why go arbitration and pay 16? He wants back, perhaps even for less money, and will definately give Phillies right of matching any offer he gets. All in all a great business move by Rube. This saves money to spend on Howard, Hammels, Werth, Victorino, Madson, etc.— jeff gross
- This isn't really the most professional way to handle the situation, but if Moyer is driving a hard bargain for a two year deal with an option for a third, why not just offer him arbitration, cut off negotiations, pay him whatever he gets in arbitration, and let him walk after next season. You may end up paying him around $7-8 million, but thats better than paying him $5-6 million for two years, especially considering he, like any pitcher (esp one that's 46), could break down at any moment.— toccheyhockey
- Everyone loves Moyer, including ME. But, how much of a market could there be for a 47 yr old who wants a two year deal ? One year($8 mil + a WS share in '08 madr for a comfortable living). Likely he could be resigned for same in '09. By the way, does anyone know what WS shares were worth this time around ??— mick314
- I understand not offering Moyer arbitration. Face it. Nobody is going to offer him a better deal than the Phillies, and he wants to return. As for Burrell, I think is a mistake. I don’t think he is going to get a big raise or a raise at all. The minimum the Phillies could have offered was 11.9, because you can only lower his previous salary by 15% in arbitration, which was $14 million (right?). I would have offered Pat $12 and probably he was going to counter with $16. And if for some reason he wanted to go higher, do you think an arbitration panel would rule in his favor, a 30 something player playing older than his age and that needs a defensive replacement and is prone to huge slumps? I don’t think so. The worst-case scenario would be for the Phillies to pay $16 and the best-case scenario would be to get him for a $2 million discount. By offering arbitration, you would have either solve the problem in left field this year without losing players, via a trade or by signing free agents, and in case he does not accept arbitration, you get 2 compensation picks. If he stays for one-year arbitration figure, then next year you can go after free-agent-to-be Holliday, if he is not extended or traded, or any other younger outfielder. Now, the worst-case scenario is losing Burrell with no compensation at all.— EL Zorro
- No matter what I don't like the sound of management saying they have Howard and Hamels locked up until 2011 & 2012. It reeks of arrogance on the part of the Phillies which at some point will lead to a mass exodus from Philly if they're not careful. It makes great sense to get Ryan (3 yrs.) and Cole (6 yrs.) under contract now, before their carriers really take off. At the very least get Cole signed this year. Aren't these players supposed to be the core of the future? Well if that’s true Ruben then do what is right by them and put it behind us. With Howard under contract you can work a future trade with the Cards for additional players to continue the rebuild. Under the arbitration scenario he walks in 2011 along with Rollins and we get nothing.— Wally 24
- As far as Burrell and Moyer's free agentcy is concerned I have one question. What happens if they don't receive an offer that they like and time runs out? Do you think the Phils wouldn't take either one of them back at a reasonable salary? Maybe we're too far ahead of ourselves.— Wally 24
- Sorry, Guys & Gals, but Ruben is not a Burrell fan...As much as I want him back, it's not looking good. On the other hand, Moyer should be back - He recently bought a home in Bradenton, only a McNabb air ball away from our Spring training home - of course, a lot of other teams train close by, as well...Pat the Bat will probably be in Scioscia's dugout next season...PK— PhillyTheKid
- Yeah PhillyTheKid, Moyer will be here, but we won't get the picks for Burrell.— EL Zorro
