Phils offer arbitration to Ibanez, Madson and Rollins
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Phils offer arbitration to Ibanez, Madson and Rollins
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
The Phillies offered salary arbitration to three of their five free agents Wednesday with the biggest surprise being left fielder Raul Ibanez.
As expected, the team offered arbitration to pitcher Ryan Madson and shortstop Jimmy Rollins and declined arbitration offers to reliever Brad Lidge and starter Roy Oswalt.
Should Rollins sign with another team, the Phillies would be compensated with a first-round pick that would be forfeited by the signing team provided that team finished among the top 15 in baseball last season. The Phillies would also receive a compensatory pick between the first and second rounds of the draft for Rollins.
If Madson signs elsewhere, the Phillies would get a first-round pick just in front of the team that signs him provided that team finished in the top 15. That team would retain its first-round pick and select immediately after the Phillies.
Should Rollins or Madson sign with teams that finished among the bottom 15 in baseball, the Phillies would receive that team's second-round pick.
The Phillies would also receive a compensatory pick between the first and second round if Ibanez signs elsewhere. It's possible the Phillies have already ascertained that Ibanez will not accept salary arbitration. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro said last week that the team is still considering re-signing Ibanez and using him in a reduced role with John Mayberry Jr. getting an opportunity to be the starting left fielder.
Ibanez made $12 million in the final year of his contract last season and it is unlikely the Phillies would risk going through the arbitration process with the 39-year-old outfielder.
The players have until Nov. 30 to accept or reject arbitration. If they accept, it is a binding contract and the Phillies would happily bring back Madson and Rollins on one-year deals.
The Phillies can still re-sign Lidge and Oswalt, but they will not receive any compensation if the two veteran pitchers sign elsewhere.
Wow that's dumb. I'm pretty sure- at least in the old CBA- the lowest you can offer a player in arbitration is 80% of what they had been previously getting. So Ibanez can accept and be guaranteed almost $10 million to work on his wins-below-replacement records. If Amaro is going to throw money around after players who should be retired, he better go out and get Fielder because money sure doesn't seem to be a valid excuse for having such a punchless line-up.— jtj06- Check out Article VI, F. c. i on the old CBA (I haven't heard of a change). They can't offer him anything less than 80% of last year in arbitration. I guess they can negotiate something less, but that would be a multi-year deal unless Ibanez has Alzheimers. I can't watch him play. Amaro is sick. He's the same guy that made us suffer through a multi-year Jamie Moyer deal at age 46. His new nickname is: Ruben "Social Security" Amaro.— jtj06
- Hope Madsen stays, the hell with the other 4. Get rid of Andy Reid too while we're cleaning house.....— TEDcGEGI
- If Raul returns they will have three 40 year olds on the 25 man roster at the same time by June 2. Wonder if that is a MLB record.— Dull
- If his salary is reasonable and he's only used against righthanders it is a solid move. I just wonder if a salary awarded by an arbitrator would fit the description of "reasonable".— riles1875
Comment removed.- I figured they would offer arbitration for JRoll and Madson, but I did a double-take on Ibanez...the only way it makes sense is if Ibanez has already agreed to turn it down in a back-door deal. Maybe RAJ has worked out a 1-yr deal plus a handshake on Raul staying in the organization post-retirement..I guess we'll find out— Polecat_39
- Jtj06 is right. The Phillies can't offer less that 80%. This is absolutely insane. We are becoming older and slower by the minute. Raul will accept arbitration. Nobody is going to offer him more that what he's going to make if he goes to arbitration. He'll be lucky to get a $5 million one year deal. Even if they have a deal in place for less money, it's not a good move in my opinion.— EL Zorro
- Please, please, resign Jimmy Rollins, give him five years, give him ten years. He is the heart and soul of the team.— PENNANT1950
- Offering Ibanez arbitration is about the stupidest thing this team could have done. Nobody wants that clown for more then a couple of million per at most and he will easily get 8-10 mil in arbitration ecause even though his numbers sucked he had decent counting stats. Good job Rube!— brannigan73
- say what you want about Raul,...but one thing is for sure;..he applies himself and knows the game and he should be given the opportunity to return at decent money like say 6-8 in a reduced role rather than just let go— SyddBarrett
