Phillies Don't Offer Arbitration to Pat Burrell or Jamie Moyer

National League sources confirmed to the Daily News that the midnight deadline to offer arbitration passed with the Phillies passing on all four of their players eligible for free agency: Moyer, leftfielder Pat Burrell and righthanders Tom Gordon and Rudy Seanez.

I think most of us were expecting the Phils to pass up an offer to Burrell but I'm a bit surprised they didn't offer it to Moyer. It seems as if Ruben Amaro Jr.'s first major decision was to stand pat. This, of course, doesn't rule out either player returning but it does allow them to walk away from the 2008 World Champions without the Phillies being compensated. [Daily News]

Comments

[Tie Manna]

WHY??????
Just..... why?
What is the logic behind this? Why not at least get the two draft picks?

[Justin Evans]

I am surprised, but the other way around.

I would have offered it to Burrell because you know he is likely gone and if not, you have a left fielder for a year. Our farm system could use the picks.

With Moyer, they're in negotiations with him, so I am sure they do not want another outside determing his pay for next year. He'll likely re-sign so worrying about compensation is sort of pointless.

[silvy]

i hope they do NOT resign moyer. between his money and the bat's money the Phils can go out and get a real nice player. Moyer was a nice story last year but I am not convinced he can do it for another year (although people have probably been saying that for the last ten years). I'd rather move on.

[DLo34]

The reason they probably didn't offer arbitration is because the Phillies are afraid they might've taken it.

1. Jamie Moyer: He is a timeless veteran, who led the team with 16 wins last year. An arbitration award for a veteran player is almost completely based upon the previous season. Moyer was 16-7 with a 3.71 ERA, if they went to arbitration for one season, they could realistically end up paying $10 million+ for one season out of Moyer. For all intents and purposes, arbitration could have been exactly what Moyer/his agent wanted to happen by asking for at least a two year deal initially - this thereby forces the Phils to either offer arbitration or two years guaranteed so they can get a compensation pick. Amaro, by not playing into Moyer's hands, puts the ball back in their court and says, OK, go find a better one year deal than what we'll offer. The Phils ultimately saved money on this deal.

2. Pat Burrell: Again, Pat Burrell as a veteran outfield who had 33 and 86 would most likely have won anywhere from 10 to 15 million in an arbitration award for one year. I don't think the risk having a one year deal worth say $13 million for Burrell and then having to revisit this same issue next year is worth the reward of one sandwich pick/second round pick. There are other options out there which will be much cheaper than Burrell or more productive for the price than Burrell.

Overall, I think Amaro did very well in not offering arbitration to either of these players. First, it sends a message to future negotiators that they play hard ball. Second, Amaro realizes this team has a very good chance of winning again right now, and by offering arbitration to either of these two players they would be sacrificing a huge portion of their payroll on the defending world champs, for a high schooler or college player who might pan out 3 or 4 years from now. And third, Amaro could be gauging the market and helping Burrell and Moyer realize that they might not command the type of money that they are asking for on the open market.

[Loqiel]

I was a bit surprised to see that they did not offer to Moyer. There's a plethora of starting pitching on the market though, and clubs are going to be looking at picking up power arms first, and grizzled, old veterans who can double as a pitching coach a distant, distant second. I don't see him being in high demand, and I don't see him leaving Philly, if for the simple fact I don't believe he wants to.

[John]

Yeah, I don't think this was a blunder by the Phillies at all. I would be OK with them not re-signing both of them. For some reason I would rather have a young arm join the rotation (Carrasco, Happ) instead of Moyer.

[Justin Evans]

DLO...Burrell's type A, you get a first round pick if he signs with a team outside the top 15 draft picks. Now, we get nothing when he walks!

[Justin Evans]

LOL @ the young arm solutions. What has Carassco shown you that he's ready? You know he will not be up until July or August, but he'll most likely be a September call-up.

[ErisStAngelo]

Great job DLo

[DLo34]

@ Justin Evans

So you are willing to roll the dice on having to pay Burrell $10-15 million next year based on what an arbitrator says just for picking up a draft pick which you have no control over where it will be slotted/for a guy who might play for the team in a few years? This is a contender now, see world series ring, and by offering arbitration to Pat Burrell, you hurt this team's chances of winning now.

[Kulp]

How does having Burrell back hurt their chances? Didn't they just win it all with him?

I can think of worse things happening than another year with Burrell in left field.

[DLo34]

@ Kulp

1. There are cheaper free agent/trade options out there for comparable production. See i.e. Raul Ibanez 23/110/.293 @ around 6 mill; Milton Bradley 22/77/.321 @ around 6 mill; Juan Rivera 12/45/.246 in only 280 plate appearances @ around $3 mill; Jermaine Dye is pricier at $11.5, but would cost less than Burrell and brings a BA that is 42 points higher and also has a mutual option the next year.

2. Less money spent on Burrell equals more money on a free agent starting pitcher.

You don't roll the dice with 10 to 15% of your team salary next year for the benefit of one draft pick, who might pan out two to four years down the road.

[Kulp]

All I'm saying is they just won the World Series with the guy. I don't consider it rolling the dice or hurting their chances if he comes back.

The money argument just frustrates me. They just won the World Series, there should be boatloads of new revenue coming in. Why can't they just pay Burrell for one year and still go about their business?

In all honesty, I give them the benefit of the doubt on this one, but you can never have too many draft picks.