When the word arbitration is even mentioned I get the spins.
The whole thing drives me nuts. Sometimes I just draw a blank on certain things regarding the process and have to remind myself. But enough about MY arbitration issues. The Phillies now have their own.
The Phils decision to not offer arby to Pat Burrell, Jaimie Moyer, Tom Gordon and Rudy Seanez may come as no surprise to many fans and insiders, but there are certainly some down (and up) sides to the move. Without the compensation of the draft pick if the arby-eligible sign with another team, the Phils lose something valuable. But by not offering, obviously, they aren't locked into giving a raise or a one-year deal to a player that they don't feel is worth that money or in their budget. Everyone who knows the Phils knows they need more (and better) pitching. Rebuilding that area is their priority. Moyer would seem to fit into those plans and was certainly a big part of the Phils 2008 success, but the Phils don't appear to feel they can't get what they need elsewhere.
The Yankees, Rays and Braves also declined arbitration on all their eligible players.