Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
January 26, 2008
Astros to Arbitration

Ed Wade's contract deadline didn't work out that well:

Though they would have preferred to have more time to work out deals with the Astros, the agents for closer Jose Valverde and infielder Mark Loretta believe they can win their clients' cases in arbitration.

Astros general manager Ed Wade opted to break off negotiations with Valverde, 28, and Loretta, 36, on Wednesday in favor of arbitration. Valverde's case before a three-person panel will be heard Feb. 14, and Loretta's on Feb. 18.

"By instituting a deadline so early in the process, it obviously indicates they feel very confident in their people and have chosen that route based on how they feel their chances are in the case," said Bill Rego, Valverde's agent. "I would have liked to have had a little bit more time to try to work this thing through, but at the end of the day, we feel we have more upside than downside in going to arbitration."

There is a large gap in both cases. I suppose Wade thought he could force the other's hand, but the agents stood firm. So now the Astros have to spend time and money on arbitration cases that they might lose. It seems like a lot of effort to save $3.5 million, when they might have saved half that just by settling.


Posted by David Pinto at 10:04 AM | Management | TrackBack (0)
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