Zaun And Shouse Offered Arbitration; Bennett Designated For Assignment
Brian Shouse, Gregg Zaun, Jeff Bennett, Kelly Shoppach 3 Comments »
[Update] The Rays chose not to offer Russ Springer arbitration (via Marc Topkin’s Twitter).
[7:37pm] Marc Topkin of the St. Pete Times is reporting that the Rays have offered arbitration to both Gregg Zaun and Brian Shouse. They are still undecided on Russ Springer.
As we mentioned earlier today, offering each player arbitration does not mean either player will necessarily be back with the Rays in 2010. All three players are type B free agents. By offering arbitration, if Zaun or Shouse signs with another team, the Rays will receive a compensation draft pick between the first and second round in the 2010 draft.
The risk is the chance that either player accepts the arbitration. In Zaun’s case, news that several teams are bidding on his services makes it unlikely that he will accept arbitration. It is even more unlikely if another team is offering Zaun a starter’s role.
Shouse is a riskier proposition. He will be 41 in in 2010. He is unlikely to receive more on the free agent market than a one-year deal for about $1.5 million he would likely make in arbitration with the Rays.
There is a possibility that the Rays already have assurances from Shouse that he will decline the offer of arbitration.
Also, to make room for the addition of Kelly Shoppach to the 40-man roster, the Rays designated Jeff Bennett for assignment.
