The Athletics are next in our arbitration eligibles series.
- First time: Andrew Bailey, Daric Barton, Adam Rosales, Gio Gonzalez, Landon Powell
- Second time: Dallas Braden, Ryan Sweeney, Craig Breslow
- Third time: Joey Devine
- Fourth time: Brandon McCarthy
This entire group could reasonably be tendered contracts. It's possible someone like Rosales, a potential Super Two, would be cut loose even though his projected salary is only $600K. Powell, another likely Super Two, also failed to produce in the bigs but could be retained affordably.
Gonzalez should land the biggest salary at an estimated $3.6MM, as he'll be arbitration eligible as a Super Two. Braden should stay around $3.3MM after missing most of the season. Bailey could get $3.4MM for his first time through, while the A's can enjoy McCarthy cheaply for one more season at around $2.6MM.
Barton, Sweeney, and Breslow should fall in the $1.6-1.8MM range. It was a lost season for Barton culminating in shoulder surgery, but it's still a reasonable price to retain him. The A's also have Devine checking in around $900K.
In total we estimate $19.5MM for the Athletics' nine arbitration eligibles. Assuming Michael Wuertz's option is exercised, the A's are looking at a commitment of maybe $44MM plus minimum salary players. That'd put them $23MM short of this year's Opening Day payroll.
Matt Swartz contributed to this post.
I hope some of that 23 million will be used to sign Willingham to a two year deal
They NEED to sign willingham..
I concur, please bring back Willingham.
Weurtz is gone. No way the A’s pick up his option when they have so many relievers in their system. Breslow, Devine, and Powel could be non-tendered if they don’t come to agreement before the hearings.
Please non-tender Barton.
non-tender barton, use that money on the draft/international free agency
Well, at least there’s that Moneyball movie…good for you…good for you.
sign willingham, rosales and non tender barton