Three free agents accepted arbitration at tonight's deadline: David Ortiz of the Red Sox, Kelly Johnson of the Blue Jays, and Francisco Rodriguez of the Brewers. The trio is now off the market and under team control for 2012 at a salary to potentially be determined by the arbitration process. For further details, check out MLBTR's free agent arbitration offer tracker, which allows you to filter by team, type, whether the player was offered, and whether he accepted.
Ortiz, Johnson, and Rodriguez all probably could have found two-year deals on the open market, but they'll receive raises for 2012 by accepting arbitration. Of the three, only Ortiz was inhibited by having a draft pick cost attached.
hope the jays get ortiz.
Agreed but probably not. E5 is a lot cheaper at DH and the jays are not yet in win-now-spend-uber-bucks mode.
He just accepted arbitration… He’s not going anywhere!
Did we read the article?
Yes, assumed Damon was talking about the possibility of trading for Ortiz. Which is ridiculous in many ways, only one of which I bothered to include in my post. (although it would be a way of getting Ortiz in Toronto on a 1 year deal)
Two problems with that in any case:
Ortiz can void any trade, he has 10/5 rights (Not a huge problem in my mind as I think he’d absolutely rake in Toronto anyway).
The Sox would ask for a pretty hefty return for him. He may be old and expensive, but he’s still coming off a .953 OPS season.
Two problems with that in any case:
Ortiz can void any trade, he has 10/5 rights (Not a huge problem in my mind as I think he’d absolutely rake in Toronto anyway).
The Sox would ask for a pretty hefty return for him. He may be old and expensive, but he’s still coming off a .953 OPS season.
Ortiz is not worth a 1st pick.
* Edit…unless you think Jays trade for him…then…that is an interesting move.
On the tracker–the Nationals had no free agents?
These are just Type A/B.
Oh, duh. Thanks, Tim.
ok now let’s all say that three times fast!
I thought K Rod wasn’t going to be offered arb? If so, does anyone know how much?
pretty sure it’s over 13.5 million. Bottom line, this doesn’t look good for the Brewers offseason.
That sucks for the Brewers that K Rod accepted. It kinda makes me feel less bad for the Jays cause those two picks im betting are going to turn out to be a whole lot more valuable than Kelly Johnson’s 2012 campaign will be.
What draft picks? He accepted arbitration, he is staying with the Jays… No draft picks going anywhere!
thats his point, they would have got draft picks had he left. i’m not overly disappointed though, i think KJ is going to be good this year.
No, “Of the three, only Ortiz was inhibited by having a draft pick cost attached.”… Therefore no draft picks to be had. Plus he said the opposite, what he said there is “It kinda makes me feel less bad for the Jays cause those two picks im
betting are going to turn out to be a whole lot more valuable than Kelly
Johnson’s 2012 campaign will be”… It’s either terrible English, or he is saying the Jays will be receiving picks.
The Jays can now tie up Johnson for the next few years with a contract that is a win – win for both the team and player. It solves the question mark surrounding second base in 2012. Johnson will now add to the team in many ways and strengthens their lineup. All the team has to do now is show that they are serious contenders for the playoffs and larger pieces will be added in July and August. If they fall short of their goal, free agents will then be acquired next off season to put the team in position to win everything again in 2013.
Closer – Santo’s – check
2nd Base – Johnson – check
Backup catcher – Mathis – check
Bullpen arm – pending
Starting pitcher – pending.
Upgrades to bench – pending.
I don’t agree that the Jays are going to spend to compete for 2012 or 2013. This team is being built around the future, and much of what they are building around isn’t even going to be on the MLB roster to start 2012. Even if they are contending for a playoff spot in 2012, don’t expect AA to change his plan. He wants a dynasty, not a one hit wonder!
I don’t agree that the Jays are going to spend to compete for 2012 or 2013. This team is being built around the future, and much of what they are building around isn’t even going to be on the MLB roster to start 2012. Even if they are contending for a playoff spot in 2012, don’t expect AA to change his plan. He wants a dynasty, not a one hit wonder!
I would uncheck backup catcher.
Maybe he meant AAA backup
That is what I thought
AA will uncheck backup catcher
I would uncheck backup catcher.
Statistically, this past year was a bit of an anomaly for KJ, especially his numbers in Arizona.
His numbers with the Jays, albeit in limited action, more accurately reflect his career averages.
He’s an above average hitting 2B, and is obviously capable with the glove; so there shouldn’t be any downside to having him on the roster.
Still missing one big hitter (here’s hoping Lind can return to his form of 2009), some bullpen depth, and a frontline starter, but the team is definitely starting to shape up well.
So is the Brew-Crew going to trade K-Rod or are they gonna leave him in the 8 spot?
I would think they trade him, but not immediately. The Brewers might be able to keep his salary lower than any other team in arb, as they will be able to argue that he accepted knowing he would set up and not close. Thus they might be able to sneak in some lower comparables. I would guess other clubs won’t be interested until after the arb headache, and then K-Rod would agree to a trade to any team where he could close. Maybe the Reds are close enough to contention that they would take him and most of the salary? The Rays might have the cash leftover?
I would think they trade him, but not immediately. The Brewers might be able to keep his salary lower than any other team in arb, as they will be able to argue that he accepted knowing he would set up and not close. Thus they might be able to sneak in some lower comparables. I would guess other clubs won’t be interested until after the arb headache, and then K-Rod would agree to a trade to any team where he could close. Maybe the Reds are close enough to contention that they would take him and most of the salary? The Rays might have the cash leftover?
So is the Brew-Crew going to trade K-Rod or are they gonna leave him in the 8 spot?
I’m happy that KJ is returning, middle of the infield is now solid and have chemistry. Johnson is a good hitter, and we need a left handed bat.
Glad KJ is back, chances are jays wouldnt have got a 1st rounder for him anyways
Condolences to Brewers fans… K-Rod really stuck it in and broke it off.
Really, REALLY hating K-Rod right now. Whines about his role as a setup guy a few weeks before the playoffs (despite Axford being dominant), then accepts arbitration offer to SET UP AXFORD AGAIN
I’m sure what he is thinking is that the arb offer will be what he was looking for in AAV, and that he can just hope for a payday (2+years) next offseason. How can he possibly expect to re-establish value for next year while pitching the 8th?
So it seems he’s accepting only to force the Brewers to trade him to a team that needs a closer. It is now my sincere hope that a contender already set at closer (NYY, Philly, Atlanta, etc) offers the best trade package and he’s stuck in the 8th inning for the entire year.
Really, REALLY hating K-Johnson right now. No way that bag of bolts is worth a supplemental 1st and a 2nd round draft choice. The Jay’s have a long term answer at 2nd – Escobar by late next season Hechavarria will have forced Escobar to 2nd. Now Hechy will force Johnson to a back up duty role and will have cost the Jays two gems that AA would have found. Curse you KJ!
KRod is going to be a stick in the Brewers rearend this year, complaining about not closing…all year. As soon as Axford blows save #1, you’ll hear it.
wow…..whoa