Starting to Get Busier
Tomorrow is an important day in baseball.
Starting to Get Busier
Todd Zolecki
Tomorrow is an important day in baseball.
Teams must decide whether or not to offer salary arbitration to their remaining free agents. The Phillies have four free agents - Jamie Moyer, Pat Burrell, Tom Gordon and Rudy Seanez -- but two are worth watching.
The Phillies are likely to offer Moyer arbitration. They have had serious discussions with him about a contract extension, and because they want Moyer back, there is little to no risk in offering him arbitration. If Moyer accepted arbitration by next Sunday's deadline, he would be a signed player for 2009. The Phillies would be fine if Moyer accepted because it would mean he has accepted a one-year contract, and I'm pretty sure the Phillies would be fine if Moyer, 46, took a one-year deal. Plus, if negotiations broke down and he signed elsewhere, the Phils would receive two draft picks as compensation because Moyer is a Type A free agent.
It is less likely that the Phillies offer Burrell arbitration, especially if they are confident they can find a better alternative in left field (they already have expressed interest in free agents Raul Ibanez and Rocco Baldelli), but it could happen. The risk in offering arbitration to Burrell is that if he accepted, he would be signed for 2009 and likely would receive a raise from the $14 million he made this year. The Phils might not want to commit that much to Burrell, even for one season, because it could prevent them from pursuing other free agents. By not offering Burrell arbitration, the Phillies can continue to talk to Ibanez, Baldelli, and other teams about potential trades without the risk of him accepting. And it's important to note that even if the Phillies don't offer Burrell arbitration it doesn't mean they can't continue to talk with him and eventually re-sign him. They can.
You might start seeing a little more movement on the free agent market after tomorrow because teams like to see what other teams do with their Type A free agents. If teams sign a Type A free agent before Dec. 1, they automatically forfeit a top draft pick. But by waiting to see what happens at the Dec. 1 deadline, teams can sign a Type A free agent knowing whether or not they have been offered arbitration. It can make a big difference in a team's interest in a player. For example, the Phillies are unlikely to pursue relief pitcher Doug Brocail if he is offered arbitration because they aren't going to forfeit their first-round draft pick to sign a middle reliever.
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In other news:
The Phillies remain hopeful that Moyer will be back, but they have talked with the agents for free-agent righthanders Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett. Burnett has a good relationship with Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee, who coached him in Florida, and he lives in Monkton, Md. ... The Phils are looking for a utility infielder and have had discussions with Nick Punto, who played for them from 2001 to 2003. They also have some interest in free-agent reliever Juan Cruz and could be interested in David Weathers. ... Another date to remember is Dec. 12. That is the last day for teams to tender contracts to unsigned players. The market could be flooded with interesting names at that point. In recent seasons, the Phils have signed non-tendered players such as Jayson Werth and Chad Durbin. The only significant moves the Phillies have made so far are re-signing Scott Eyre and trading Greg Golson to the Texas Rangers for John Mayberry. But the Dec. 1 and Dec. 12 deadlines typically make things a lot clearer for teams. Things should start picking up soon.
I can't argue with those plans- I'd like to see Burrell back, but not at more than $14 million per year.— KMG- Sign Jamie for one year, with an option for a second. I can see him making history, and pitching 'til he's 50! I've read that Pat might be willing to accept a salary cut in order to stay with the Phils. Offer him two years, with an option for a third, at $10 mil a year. Flash gave us some good years, but he's done. Too injury prone. Time to retire. Seanez? Questionable.— Norma
- Wow, wouldn't it be unwise to not offer Burrell arbitration? If they don't offer him, then he can sign elsewhere and they will get zero compensation. If they do offer him and he declines it, then we get two top picks from whoever signs him (whether it be a first/second and a sandwich pick). Worst case scenario he accepts arbitration and we get him back on a one year deal with no strings attached as opposed to resigning him to 3 or more years, which is what he would like. And I honestly think he would decline arbitration because he wants more than a one year deal, regardless of whether he would have a higher base salary for one year. I just think it makes zero sense to be going after other Type A free agents (ie. - Ibanez, Cruz, possibly Lowe) if they put themselves in position to get zero compensation from Burrell leaving.— robm0202
- Burrell will definitely command more than 10 million per year even if he would rather play in Philly than elsewhere, a statement that he has professed. He already turned down 2 years 22 million, so why would he accept 2 years 20 million? I think it is probably going to take 2 years 24-26 million with a player option for a third, which essentially is a 3 year deal.— robm0202
Comment removed.- I agree with rob. Definitely offer Burrell arbitration, there is no downside. If he accepts, they get him on a one year deal, which is probably better than most of the other options out there. And, they could always trade him to someone else. If he doesn't accept (and I don't think he will), they get two compensation picks. One Manny signs the whole market will clear up. Burrell is going to get a three or four year deal for about $15M per from someone.— mdhnyc
- robm0202....One of the reasons Pat might accept $10 mil a year is, apparently no one's shown tons of interest in him, yet. Salary vs age, might be part of the issue. If he might have to take a cut anyway, stay in Philly. Of course, there might be more interest after arbitration is decided.— Norma
- If you offer Burrell arbitration his salary goes up- I can't see paying him $16-$17 million.— KMG
- Why would they have any interest in a left handed bat to replace Burrell? I cannot understand it— 93phils
- Where is John in LA???— Clinton, NJ
- I agree sign Moyer for a year with a 2nd year option with maybe a coaching option also. Still loved to see Burrell back and wouldn't hurt to offer arbitration. It will be interesting to see how the free agent market goes over the next couple weeks. It's been relatively quiet even with the big names out there Sabathia, Manny etc. Wonder if teams are feeling the effects of the economy.— KarenA
- If you ofer Pat arbitration and he takes it, he will prbably get a raise from teh 14 million he made this year. Players with 30 HR and 90+ RBI get raises normally. SInce we want to pay him less, arbitration is not in our interests. Figure it like this, the phils offered 11 million a year, with arbitration he'll get at least 16-18 a year. That's 5-7 million reasons not to offer it— jeff gross
- They HAVE to offer Burrell arbitration. It would be an unwise risk/reward decision not to. It is very unlikely he will accept, and even if he does, they are on the hook for only one year, which is the real sticking point in their negotiations right now anyway - the years, not the dollars. The Phillies don't want Burrell to obtain "10-and-5" status, which he will in 2010. Next year is not the issue. And it would be foolish to watch him walk for nothing when they can get the coveted two draft pick compensation for him. And one more time, for the record, Rocco Baldelli is NOT a "better alternative"... no way, no how. He is an "alternative", but a bad one. Hardly an upgrade. Ibanez is a better alternative, but he is older, his numbers have begun to show signs of weakness, and he is a Type-A free agent, so signing him will cost the Phillies a pick. Burrell is likely to be a Type-A free agent as well (the criteria for OFs is PA, AVG, OBP, HR and RBI over the past two seasons - Burrell gets more than enough PAs, and ranks well in OBP, HR and RBI). They can't give a draft pcik up, and not get one in return when it is there to be had.— RollinsWasRight
- Rollins, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, Burrell is officially a Type A, so they will get two high picks for him if they offer him and he declines. Jeff: Burrell will not get 18 million, I would say max he would get 16 million if he accepts but it will probably more like 14 or 15 million, which I am totally fine with for one year. Like Rollins said, the real sticking point is the year not the money since they don't want to give him any more than 2 years because they don't want him to attain 10/5 status.— robm0202
- Rollins, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, Burrell is officially a Type A, so they will get two high picks for him if they offer him and he declines. Jeff: Burrell will not get 18 million, I would say max he would get 16 million if he accepts but it will probably more like 14 or 15 million, which I am totally fine with for one year. Like Rollins said, the real sticking point is the year not the money since they don't want to give him any more than 2 years because they don't want him to attain 10/5 status.— robm0202
