Wednesday News and Notes
January 20th, 2010 | by jelletlambie |Arbitration – A form of alternative dispute resolution, a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the court system, and in the case of major league baseball these past couple of days – the place where millionaires go to argue.
The hot button word of the hot stove league saw more than 50 agreements reached yesterday on new contracts, among them Detroit Tigers Gerald Laird, Bobby Seay and Zach Miner. In those three cases the team and the player agreed to one year contracts, avoiding the prospect of sitting before the mediator. Laird will earn $3.95 Million, Seay will collect $2.475 Million and Zach Miner will receive 950K for his efforts.
I believe Bill Veeck said it best – “It isn’t the high price of stars that is expensive, it’s the high price of mediocrity.”
In terms of players far better than mediocre, Justin Verlander politely asked the Tigers for $9.5 million yesterday. His employer countered with an offer of $6.9 Million. Certainly seems there is a difference of financial opinion at play. For the record, I expect the two sides will settle prior to a hearing, and that JV will earn a minimum of $8 Million, likely around the middle point of $8.2 million, in 2010.
If you’re interested in all things arbitrational (patent pending) – check out Maury at The Biz of Baseball. Both his site and Twittering are chock full of news from around the MLB.
Kurt at Bless You Boys brought up an interesting point the other day regarding the now confirmed Jose Valverde signing – 41 players for 40 roster spots. My guess is that either Don Kelly or Jay Sborz will find themselves out of major league work before too much longer.
DesigNate Robertson profiles Jack Morris as part of his on-going series of his favorite Tigers of the last 25 years.
Our man Bob at Detroit4Lyfe wonders if Justin Verlander will be in motown beyond 2011. I wonder too frankly.
The Society for American Baseball Research, or SABR on Twitter, reminds us that pitchers and catchers report in 29 days. Got a little choked up just writing that.
Two things from the desk of Dave Dombrowski:
In a thought I found to make sense, DD tells John Lowe of the Freep that Phil Coke will have a chance to win the fifth starter job.
In a thought I found to be a bit ridiculous, Dombrowski told the media this in response to the Jose Valverde signing:
“He addresses to us what was our biggest need on our ballclub”.
Really? Seriously? I didn’t think Valverde would hit leadoff (and 2nd) and man two critical defensive positions otherwise occupied by rookies, but what do I know. I feel better getting that off my chest, I do.
Enjoy your hump day.
Tags: Bobby Seay, Dave Dombrowski, Don Kelly, Gerald Laird, Jack Morris, Jay Sborz, Jose Valverde, Justin Verlander, MLB Arbitration, Zach Miner
