February 17, 2009
You Say Ethier, I Say Ithier
The Dodgers and Andre Ethier settled their arbitration positions just before heading into the hearing:
Ethier batted .305 with 20 homers and 77 RBI last year. He had asked for $3.75 million when exchanging proposed arbitration figures and the team had offered $2.65 million.
The 26-year-old outfielder can earn $100,000 in performance bonuses -- $25,000 for 596 plate appearances, his total last year; $25,000 for 625 and $50,000 for 650.
Ethier said both sides were in the same room waiting to begin the hearing when the deal was struck.
Ethier walks away with $3.1 million, a little below the mid point without incentives.