Bartlett, Howell, Garza Avoid Arbitration, Upton Does Not
BJ Upton, Jason Bartlett, JP Howell, Matt Garza January 19th. 2010, 3:45pmThe Rays now have one arbitration case remaining (Upton). The other eight arbitration-eligible players will make $17.45 million in 2010. Looking back at our first off-season payroll projection, we had those players projected to make a total of $17.6 million*.
[3:28pm] Via a press release from the Rays we learn that Matt Garza reached an agreement for one-year at $3.35 million. We had Garza projected at $3.2 million.
[2:52pm] Topkin adds that the Rays reached an agreement with JP Howell for $1.8 million. We had Howell projected at $1.8 million.
[1:58pm] Mark Topkin reports that the Rays and Jason Bartlett have reached an agreement on a one-year deal, for $4.0 million, avoiding arbitration. We had Bartlett projected at $3.5 million.
Also, Topkin notes that the Rays and BJ Upton failed to reach an agreement and will submit arbitration figures today. Unless the Rays and Upton can agree on a multi-year extension, Upton’s 2010 salary will be determined by an arbitrator in February.
We will update this post when we learn whether or not Matt Garza or JP Howell can also reach an agreement.
*Kelly Shoppach was not part of the original projection. When he was acquired by the Rays, we added his projection ($2.2 million).
Related posts:
Can anyone explain to me how arbitration works? That is, do the arbiters (if that’s what they are called) plug in numbers and come up with a salary figure based on a player’s stats and years of service? If so, why do teams (or players) have an incentive to avoid arbitration? Why would, say, either the Rays or Bartlett feel it is advantageous to reach agreement rather than let the arbitration process play out?
unfortunately it is not that simple…
both sides will give the arbitrator a number that they think the 2010 salary should be. then there is a hearing and the arbitrator is responsible for picking one number or the other. the arbitrator is not allowed to pick a number in the middle.
it can also be a damaging process, in that, the Rays are now responsible to argue to the arbitrator why they think Upton is not worth the amount he wants. So, in front of Upton’s people, they will be forced to talk about his flaws. Some players can take that personally.
Thanks for explaining. So it’s a gamble for both — hence incentive to negotiate. Are there set criteria that the arbitrator is supposed to use to make this determination?
With that in mind I’m surprised they couldn’t reach a deal with Upton. Does he really want to take his 2009 numbers into a hearing?
I dont think there is a set criteria for the abitrator. I believe the two sides present their own set of numbers. And part of that process can/will involve the use of similar players and how much those guys got in arbitration.
As for Upton’s 2009 season, yes, that is a big risk for him. But he will also show the arbitrator how much he produced in other years and how little he was paid. so Upton could argue (to an extent) that he is owed for the last three years of work. He can also point to his 2008 postseason numbers.
But most importantly, Upton will point to the injured shoulder and how he played most of the ’08 season needing surgery and played the entire ’09 season even though he wasn’t 100%. He will probably argue that his ’09 numbers would have been better had he taken the first month or two off and had more time to heal/rehab. So might argue that he sacrificed a bit of production so that he could be out on the field and try to help the team win.
I hope they have a week blocked off if they are going to talk about Upton’s flaws. Besides his lack of hustle and ability to get injured on a regular basis, he is the last of the triumvirate from Durham that included Elijah Dukes and Delmon Young. Had he not been hurt so much last year, the Rays would have been smart to deal him away. I suspect that once arbitration doesn’t go his way he will be a continuing distraction.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Cork Gaines, Tampa Bay Rays Buzz. Tampa Bay Rays Buzz said: Rays Index >> Bartlett, Howell, Garza Avoid Arbitration, Upton Does Not http://bit.ly/8LPbdK [...]
What is BJ currently making?
He made about $450K in 2009
[...] the Rays avoided arbitration with three of their final four arbitration-eligible players. While most teams will continue to [...]
[...] this week, the Rays failed to reach a contract agreement with BJ Upton and will head to arbitration to settle a $300K difference-of-opinion (Upton wants $3.3m, the Rays [...]