Arbitration Null and Void

The New York Mets and Mike Pelfrey have come to terms with a deal that allows them to avoid arbitration hearings. Thank goodness! I hate those hearings. Well, here is the breakdown: Pelfrey gets $3.925 million for this season with a possible $500,000 in performance bonuses.

Not too shabby for a guy who took a bit of plunge during the summer when the team really needed him to step it up. But I’m not judging.

The next players are Angel Pagan and R.A. Dickey who, as Adam Rubin reports, will begin exchanging numbers on Tuesday.

Anybody want to bet Dickey and the Mets will come to terms, but Pagan and the Mets will be going to hearing in February?

Papelbon Sets New Record

Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon has set a new record only a day after Bobby Jenks did.

To avoid arbitration hearings, the Red Sox and Papelbon have agreed to a one-year contract worth $6.25 million.

While both sides had discussions for a multi-year deal, they could not come to terms. ESPN News reports the two sides will still talk about a longer contract.

In a previous blog I wrote how Papelbon plans to test the free agent market when his contract expires in 2011. Apparently, that still seems to stand.

The previous record set by a closer in arbitration was $5.65 million for Chicago White Sox closer, Bobby Jenks. The record before that was $5 million. That was back in 2004 by Eric Gagne.

A Greedy Brother

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman, Ryan Howard, is seeking another record  breaking contract through arbitration. He wants $18 million. The Phillies feel he is only worth $14 million.

Either way, it is a significant increase from the $10 million he won last year through the arbitration hearings.

Maybe Howie has not heard about the economic crisis that is worldwide. He is crazy.

Now, I’m not saying he does not deserve to be paid. Numbers do not lie, my friends. He smacked 48 home runs and 146 RBI’s in during the 2008 season. Yet, to me $18 million is still too steep.

He should quit being greedy and sign the $14 million deal.

After all, Phillies ace Cole Hamels signed a three-year deal worth $20.5 million. As I stated in my previous post, he deserves  more than that. He was their World Series MVP.

Suck it up, Howie. Hamels is more crucial than you. After all, great pitching stops great hitting.

Mets Avoid Arbitration Hearings

With the signing of outfielders Ryan Church and Angel Pagan, the Mets have managed to avoid arbitration hearings with a total of three players who filed.

Reliever Pedro Feliciano and starting pitcher John Maine remain as the two lone players still unsigned.

According to Mets.com, Church will receive $2.8 million in his one-year contract. While Pagan gets $575,000 in his one-year deal.

These are the deals Main and Feliciano are seeking according to the site.

Maine wants $3 million vs the Mets proposal of $2.2 million. Feliciano wants $1.95 million. The club is only going $600,000 less than that.

Maine did not exactly produce. So for his request of a raise of $2.55 million is absurd. When he can pitch at least six innings and win 15-18 games, then he can come knocking on the door for more money.

I do not have a problem with Feliciano’s request. When he was given a specific role, he was great. It was not until the Mets started calling on him in situations he was not used to, that he started faltering. So give him the money.

Looks like they just might be going to arbitration hearings with these two.

Reed Reaches Deal

New Mets outfielder Jeremy Reed has reached a one-year deal with the New York Mets. The contract is valued at $925,000.

He is the last of the arbitration-eligible players who have reached agreements with the Mets. Still left are John Maine, Pedro Feliciano, Ryan Church, and Angel Pagan. They will submit numbers tomorrow.

Other Mets Awaiting Arbitration Numbers

The New York Mets still have an additional five players who are arbitration eligible.

Pitcher John Maine, outfielders Ryan Church, Jeremy Reed and Angel Pagan, and reliever Pedro Feliciano.

I expect the Mets to arbitration hearings with most of them, if not all. I’m sure each of them know whether or not their contributions really have earned them more money.

Each player and the Mets have until Tuesday to come up with a deal without going to arbitrators.

Street and Rockies Agree On One Year Deal

The Colorado Rockies and Huston Street have managed to avoid the arbitration hearings by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $4.5 million, according to reports on ESPN.com.

It’s always good when you avoid those hearings. It’s such a crap shoot as to who will win.

Perez To Receive Arbitration

Tomorrow the Mets must make a decision whether or not to offer Oliver Perez arbitration. Reports on mlb.com say the Mets will offer it to him.

Considering Perez is a Type A free agent, the Mets could get one draft picks should another team decide to sign him and another pick between the first two rounds. This would help to re-stock the farm system, a system that has been drained of prospects way too often.

Other free agents do include season closer Luis Ayala, who the Mets are considering offering a contract to. I do think he did well with the Mets. It would not be a terrible idea if and only if the Mets could not get a better set-up guy.