Thursday Pre-Arbitration Signings

I know I made the comment in the other thread that I was under the assumption guys barely get anything unless they're arb -- so it looks like I was wrong -- but what is the motivation for this? Is it just to keep the player happy?

It's one of the highest pre-arb contracts I can think of, although I'm sure there's a few higher. Hardly a slap in the face.

question. if a player is pre-arbitration does that limit what a team can offer them? so many rules are hard to keep up with.

if not, i can't imagine why SF wouldn't give Lincecum a big contract to give him some padding and a reason to want to stay there.

here's hoping the dodgers sweep him up when he's done with the gints.

Pretty sure they can give him whatever they want -- that being said, I'm not sure there's many teams who are going to voluntarily give away money when it gets to the millions. Plus, whatever the player makes going into arbitration serves as a "floor" for the arbitration hearing (I think it can now dip to 15% below current salary).

So if the Giants gave Lincecum 6 million to keep him happy, he came out and blew out his arm this year, the least he could get going into arbitration would be 15% less than 6 million, whereas where the contract stands now, he would just receive a modest amount. Hope that makes sense.

Hunter Pence is going to break out this year.

Great explanation CubbyFan23. It doesn't make sense for a team to spend millions of dollars on a player just to buy his goodwill when they don't have too. The player can get all his "goodwill" when he goes to arb or free agency, if he's worth it. $650k is a pretty descent salary for someone in Lincecum's position and a nice gesture on the Giants part.

"I'm pretty sure that Lincecum said he wanted to go year-by-year, as some players have decided to do before giving in years down the road. Some young players take the Evan Longoria, Jose Reyes route where they get their money up front at the first sign of breaking out, while others choose to go the other route."

Posted by: MattyMets | February 26, 2009 at 12:19 PM

I'm not sure if players actually prefer that over getting huge deals with a lot of $$$. I think it's just easier for some players to get something done for 1 year real quick and not have to worry about their contract situation for a bit. I think all players would love to get a long term deal but will settle for a short term as to not sign for lower value. Take Papelbon for instance. Sox and Pap couldn't agree on a longterm deal so he took a 1 y/6 mil deal.

Nice Sinker though. or whatever that was Hanson struck out Lee with.

Didnt Dallas Braden end up in Cincinnati??

your right melonis, it was Dallas Buck i was thinking about