93 replies to this topic

[RichardZ]

When I first saw this, I figured de Aza was just being a dope and digging in... but then DD was quoted as saying things that sounded to me like the O's began by giving him a take-it-or-leave-it offer... which seems kinda provocative to me... I'd think you'd leave a little wiggle room in there, just to show that you're a little bit flexible... unlike DD, I don't see the benefit of being rigid about it right out of the box...

 

From reading Duquette and Showalter's quotes on the subject I'm guessing there was a bit of acrimony with De Aza's agent and they decided to play hardball with him.    It looks ridiculous.   The smallest difference and this is the one that's going to arbitration.

[PatrickDougherty]

From reading Duquette and Showalter's quotes on the subject I'm guessing there was a bit of acrimony with De Aza's agent and they decided to play hardball with him.    It looks ridiculous.   The smallest difference and this is the one that's going to arbitration.

Yeah I couldn't believe how close the sides were when they announced that they'd go to arbitration. I wonder if De Aza's agent is well-versed in player projections, knew what they offered Markakis (a similar player), and didn't want to give in.

[Matt_P]

Yeah I couldn't believe how close the sides were when they announced that they'd go to arbitration. I wonder if De Aza's agent is well-versed in player projections, knew what they offered Markakis (a similar player), and didn't want to give in.

 

I doubt it. I think the Os are pissed because De Aza was a potential DFA candidate if they don't trade for him and he would have gotten considerably less in FA after being DFAd. Now they think he's simply being greedy.

 

But I am confused why the Os would wait until Feb 20 if they're not going to negotiate. Maybe the Os are interested in a two year deal and are leaving themselves time to make one. Then again, the Os said they're not. I'd think they'd try to get an earlier date.

[PatrickDougherty]

I doubt it. I think the Os are pissed because De Aza was a potential DFA candidate if they don't trade for him and he would have gotten considerably less in FA after being DFAd. Now they think he's simply being greedy.

 

But I am confused why the Os would wait until Feb 20 if they're not going to negotiate. Maybe the Os are interested in a two year deal and are leaving themselves time to make one. Then again, the Os said they're not. I'd think they'd try to get an earlier date.

Why not both?

 

I just meant that comparables are pretty standard practice, and the Orioles just offered a comparable a lot more. The agent wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't ask for as much as he thought he could get. IMO, seeing them incapable of bridging such a minor difference makes something of a principled stand on both sides a more likely scenario.

 

As for the time frame, I would guess that you're right, and the O's are trying to buy more negotiating time. They just straight up hate arb hearings and my guess is that they're doing everything they can aside from giving in to his requests to avoid it.

[RShack]

Seems to me this is the kind of thing that performance clauses could fix in a hurry... too bad they're banned....

 

I can understand while they're banned... and I'm not recommending that they be restriction-free... but I do think that they should be permitted in limited form... for up to X% of the base salary and up to Y% of team payroll...

[Pedro Cerrano]

Well, in theory couldn't you just disguise it as a bonus for hitting certain marks or certain accomplishments?  I know you get bonuses for finishing in the top 3 of the MVP or something for example.  Are teams not allowed to offer a bonus if a guy hits .300 in X number of plate appearances?

[RShack]

Well, in theory couldn't you just disguise it as a bonus for hitting certain marks or certain accomplishments?  I know you get bonuses for finishing in the top 3 of the MVP or something for example.  Are teams not allowed to offer a bonus if a guy hits .300 in X number of plate appearances?

 

Nope.  It can be for awards, and it can be for number of games played, but it can't have anything to do with how a guy does in his games played...

[BSLChrisStoner]

Baltimore Sun: A look at the Orioles' pending arbitration hearing with De Aza

http://www.baltimore....html?track=rss

[MKlein76]

From Encina: #Orioles win arbitration hearing with Alejandro De Aza.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Camden Depot: Examining De Aza's Struggles Against Southpaws

http://camdendepot.b...es-against.html

[BSLChrisStoner]

Nice ab from De Aza yesterday leading to his first homer of the year.

[PatrickDougherty]

Nice ab from De Aza yesterday leading to his first homer of the year.

He had two 10-pitch ABs, didn't he?

[BSLChrisStoner]

Added his 2nd homer, leading off the bottom of the 1st last night.

[Matt_P]

Alejandro De Aza has been DFAd.