B.J. Upton Avoids Arbitration, Gets a Raise

The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to give B.J. Upton a $4.825 million contract, avoiding arbitration and keeping the center fielder around for one more season.

Losing his arbitration hearing in 2009, the tall and slender 26-year-old was awarded $3 million rather than his request for $3.3 million so the Rays wouldn't break the bank.

He and Carl Crawford then became the first teammates in big league history to surpass 60 extra-base hits and 40 steals in the same season. Upton is also the only player in baseball with at least 100 doubles and 100 steals since 2008.

Don't let those numbers fool you, though. Upton hit 18 homers and drove in only 62 runs over 154 games last year, striking out 164 times while batting just .234... which allotted him a $1.8 million raise. However, he did nail 38 doubles and steal 42 bases in 51 attempts for the American League East champions.

Either way, he'll have the glory all to himself now, as Crawford hit the road last month for greener pastures: a $142 million, seven-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.

[Tampa Tribune on Twitter]

Dan Uggla Gets Five-Year Deal from Braves

We're not sure, maybe you can help us. Is it possible for Dan Uggla's neck to get any more ridiculously ginormous? Was his head photoshopped onto that picture?

The Atlanta Braves have signed Uggla to a five-year contract extension worth $62 million, keeping him up the middle until 2015 to avoid arbitration.

Bruney Gets a Crappy Birthday Gift

With the hopes of earning $350,000 more than the Washington Nationals were willing to pay him, Brian Bruney let his unresolved salary case go to an arbitration hearing, and lost. On his birthday.

The 28-year-old former New York Yankees reliever, who once blamed an injured elbow on an 8-1/2 minute umpire review, was awarded $1.5 million Wednesday instead of his requested $1.85 million.

Bruney went 5-0 with a 3.92 ERA in 44 regular-season appearances for the Yankees last season, when he made $1.25 million.

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

Edwin Jackson, D'Backs Avoid Arbitration

Avoiding arbitration this weekend, Edwin Jackson and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed on a $13.35 million, two-year deal.

The right-hander went 13-9 with a 3.62 ERA over 33 starts with the Detroit Tigers last season, enjoying his first All-Star selection. He was traded away in a three-team, hot stove deal back in December that also involved Curtis Granderson becoming the new center fielder for New York Yankees.

Continue reading this story at SportsUntapped.

Winner, Winner, Milwaukee's Best Dinner

In the Milwaukee Brewers' first salary arbitration hearing in 12 years, Corey Hart has emerged victorious.

The outfielder was awarded $4.8 million by the panel of arbitrators Friday, a fairly significant raise from the $3.25 million he made last year.

Hart, who hit .260 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs last season, was the first big league case to go to a hearing this year. Ten more players are scheduled to vie against their teams for more money throughout the week, but not all of them will be as fortunate as Hart.

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

Little Timmy Gets the Big Bucks

Tim Lincecum has been given a $23 million, 2-year contract. All is right with the world.

The San Francisco Giants reached a preliminary agreement with their 25-year-old phenom just in the nic of time, as their pesky arbitration hearing (which would have been a Giant embarrassment for the club) was set for this afternoon.

Continue reading and comment on this story at SportsUntapped.

Lincecum Pays Fine, Awaits Huge Raise

Tim Lincecum dished out $513 to the Clark County, Washington courts Tuesday to pay his fine for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, which was reduced to a civil infraction.

The charges stemmed from being busted speeding back in October when officers found a bag and a pipe in his car... shocker. The 2009 National League Cy Young Award winner had this to say regarding his court appearance...

Continue reading and comment on this story at Sports Untapped.

Lookin' Good, Good Lookin'

Ryan Howard (pictured here at a Maxim Super Bowl party) continues to make the big bucks, landing a 3-year, $54 million contract with his Philadelphia Phillies this weekend, avoiding arbitration altogether.

After leading the big leagues with 48 homers and 146 RBIs last season -- not to mention helping the Phillies win their first World Series title since 1980 -- the hefty first baseman got a hefty raise: $15 million this season, $19 million the next, and $20 million in 2011.

Howard, the 2006 NL MVP, batted just .251 in 2008, striking out one whiff short of 200 times with 19 errors, and still managed to make runner-up to Albert Pujols for the MVP.

"I’m happy to have this done and to know that I’ll be in Philadelphia for at least another three years," he said.

[ESPN] | [The Hardball Times] | [Fanhouse]

Ryan Howard: Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner

Congratulations to Ryan Howard for winning his salary arbitration case against the Philadelphia Phillies. The bargain slugger was awarded $10 million on Thursday, marking the highest figure ever given to a winning player.

Howard, the first player in six arbitration cases this season to emerge victorious, made $900,000 last year and $355,000 during his 2006 MVP season, which is fricking ridiculous. More ludicris was the Phillies' offer of $7 million. Totally ungrateful.

The 28-year-old first baseman hit .268 with 47 bombs and 136 RBIs last season.

[ESPN]

Yanks Beat Wang

It's been a while since we've had a dirty Wang headline.

Like many other players this week, Chien-Ming Wang lost his salary arbitration case against the New York Yankees, resulting in a $4 million check, rather than the $4.6 he requested.

Dontrelle Willis, who may have been a model for this case, is the only other first-time eligible pitcher to get more, receiving $4.35 million from the Florida Marlins in 2006. However, Bronx GM Brian Cashman called anything more for the right-hander "out-of-market."

Last season -- while making $489,500 -- Wang went 19-7 with a 3.70 ERA for his second straight season with 19 wins.

[New York Post]

Brandon Phillips Gets Paid

The Cincinnati Reds agreed to a $27 million, four-year contract with Brandon Phillips Friday, settling their final arbitration case. The new deal includes a club option for a fifth season, bringing the total value to $43.25 million if Phillips is traded.

The 26-year-old infielder kicked ass last year -- while making just over $400,000 -- joining Alfonso Soriano as the only other second basemen in big league history to hit 30 bombs and steal 30 bags in a single season. After his early-season 22-game hitting streak, he hit .288 and led the majors in fielding percentage, making only 8 errors.

[Associated Press]

Chad Gaudin Healthy Enough for Spring

The Oakland Athletics have avoided their final salary arbitration case this offseason, signing Chad Gaudin to a $1.775 million, one-year contract Friday. In addition to his regular salary, Gaudin could earn $100,000 in performance bonuses based on innings pitched.

After pitching exclusively in relief in 2006, Gaudin joined the A's rotation for the first time last season, going 11-13 with a 4.42 ERA in all, but slumping to 3-10 after the All-Star break. Regardless, he tied for the AL lead with 34 starts last year.

The 24-year-old righty had a torn labrum repaired on his left hip and underwent surgery on his right foot on Dec. 18th and is still in a walking boot. However, he is expected to make a full recovery in time to join right-handers Joe Blanton, Rich Harden and Justin Duchscherer in the rotation.

[Oakland Athletics News]

Cards Lock Up Yadier Molina

Yadier Molina, one of the best defensive catchers in the game, and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a $15.5 million, four-year contact Monday.

The 25-year-old All-Star picked off 50% of potential basestealers last season, and hit a career-best .275 with six homers and 40 RBIs over 111 games. He missed a good chunk of time due to a broken left wrist.

"I love being here. I love being a Cardinal," he said.

Molina had asked for more than a $2 million raise in salary arbitration while the Cards had offered $1.85 million. Righty Todd Wellemeyer is the final player on the roster remaining in arbitration. He asked for a raise from $635,000 to $1.3 million, but was offered $875,000.

[AFP]

Big Bucks for Cabrera

The Detroit Tigers have signed Miguel Cabrera to a one-year contract worth $11.3 million this weekend.

The All-Star third baseman hit .320 with 34 homers and 119 RBIs, missing just five games in 2007.

Cabrera, 24, joined the club by way of trade with the Florida Marlins in December, along with left-handed starter Dontrelle Willis. In return, the Marlins received six players, including two top-tier prospects in lefty Andrew Miller and outfielder Cameron Maybin.

Cabrera joins a fearsome lineup that already includes Magglio Ordonez, Gary Sheffield, Carlos Guillen, Ivan Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco and new-comer shortstop Edgar Renteria, who was acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Braves this offseason. Scary stuff.

[MLive]

My Canadian Crusher Gets Paid

Standing alone in the limelight, surrounded by the many players avoiding arbitration this weekend, stands my Canadian Crusher, Justin Morneau.

The Minnesota Twins first baseman and 2006 AL MVP agreed to a $7.4 million, one-year contract Friday, receiving nearly $3 million raise from the $4.5 million he made last year. Morneau batted .271, crushing 31 longballs and 111 RBIs last season.

Here's to at least 40 bombs in '08, Justin.

Reliever Juan Rincon, who went 3-3 with a 5.13 ERA for Minnesota last season, was apparently worth roughly $2,475,000 to the club. He is eligible to earn an additional $25,000 for pitching in 65 games in 2008.

Two more Twins' salaries still need to be dealt with by the organization: right-fielder and cannon-armed stud, Michael Cuddyer, asked for $6.2 million while the team offered $4.7 million; and righty reliever Matt Guerrier, requested $1.15 million, as the Twins proposed $750,000.

Furthermore, Jason Kubel, who has bad knees and sucks at DHing but is good at standing around in left, reached a $1.3 million, one-year deal on Thursday.

[MLB]

Avoiding Arbitration

Baseball fans across the country look forward to February with breathless anticipation for one reason: no, not Spring Training... arbitration! Nothing else can match that excitement of seeing a press release announcing the date for a player's arbitration hearing, or a press release announcing the conclusion of the arbitration period. That's entertainment!

So it is with great sadness that I must report that 22 of the 110 players who filed for salary arbitration this offseason came to terms with their respective clubs by Thursday-- thus depriving fans of the fun of following the oh-so-very interesting machinations of the arbitration process. It's like killing Christmas!

Full list of the grinches in question, and the amount of their contracts, after the jump.

Jose Bautista ($1.8m) - Pirates
Chris Capuano ($3.75m) - Brewers
Gustavo Chacin ($725,000) - Blue Jays
Joe Crede ($3.5m) - White Sox
Scott Downs ($10m/3 years) - Blue Jays
Jason Frasor ($1,125,000) - Blue Jays
Jimmy Gobble ($1,312,500) - Royals
Jonny Gomes ($1,275,000) - Rays
Mike Gonzalez ($2,362,500) - Braves
Omar Infante ($1.4m) - Braves
Jason Kubel ($1.3m) - Twins
Brad Lidge ($6.35m) - Phillies
Ryan Madson ($1.4m) - Phillies
Tim Redding ($1m) - Nationals
Juan Rivera ($2,025,000) - Angels
Marco Scutaro ($2.65m/2 years) - Blue Jays
Huston Street ($3.3m) - Athletics
Brian Tallet ($640,000) - Blue Jays
Mark Teixeira ($12.5m) - Braves
Marcus Thames ($1,275,000) - Tigers
Matt Treanor ($705,000) - Marlins
Tyler Yates ($800,000) - Braves

[Yahoo!]

Nate Robertson, Tigers Reach Deal

Nate Robertson and the Detroit Tigers avoided salary arbitration Wednesday, settling on a $21.25 million, three-year contract.

The 30-year-old lefty, who has helped the Tigers become serious contenders over the last few years, was 9-13 with a 4.76 ERA in 30 starts last season. His best year came in 2006, when he went 13-13 with a 3.84 ERA, aiding in Detroit's trip to their first World Series since 1984.

Robertson is pretty pumped about the new deal, considering he and his wife, who live in the Detroit area during the offseason, are expecting their first child.

"The timing has been perfect," he said.

Motown's established rotation already includes youngsters Justin Verlander and Jeremy Bonderman, veteran Kenny Rogers, and new-comer Dontrelle Willis, who was acquired along with third baseman Miguel Cabrera by way of trade with the Florida Marlins this winter.

[Detroit Free Press]

Adam LaRoche Avoids Arbitraion

Side-stepping arbitration, first baseman Adam LaRoche -- whose first name is actually David -- agreed to a $5 million, one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, with his eye still set on a multi-year deal.

Traded by the Atlanta Braves last season for reliever Mike Gonzalez, LaRoche batted .272 with 21 home runs and 88 RBI overall. After a horrible start where his average dropped to .191 in late May, he bounced back to hit .326 over the final 77 games of the season.

The Bucs have four players who are still eligible for arbitration, including second baseman Freddy Sanchez, third baseman Jose Bautista, outfielder Xavier Nady, and lefty John Grabow.

[SI.com]

Chad Cordero Finally Gets Paid

Avoiding arbitration Friday, righty Chad Cordero and the Washington Nationals agreed to a $6.2 million, one-year contract.

At 25, he went 3-3 with 37 saves and a 3.36 ERA for the Nats in 2007, becoming the second-youngest closer in history to record 100 career saves.

Cordero has converted more than 80% of his opportunities over the last three seasons. Remember when he set a club record and led the majors with 47 saves in 2005? The following year he had 29 saves with a 7-4 record and a 3.19 ERA, making just $525,000.

Among the eight other players Washington agreed to terms with Friday, Lastings Milledge, who was acquired in late November by way of trade with the New York Mets, received a split deal that would pay him $402,500 if he's in the big leagues and $145,075 in the minors.

[National Post]

Jayson Werth Gets Another One-Year Deal

The Philadelphia Phillies and Jayson Werth came to an agreement on a $1.7 million, one-year contract Monday, avoiding that ugly little thing called arbitration.

The 27-year-old outfielder hit .298 with eight homers and 49 RBIs last season for the Phillies, who were swept by the Colorado Rockies in the NLDS. Werth spent most of the 63 games he started in right field, platooning with Shane Victorino.

He'll likely play the same role this season, splitting time with Geoff Jenkins, who was acquired in late December. Victorino will probably move to center, replacing the now-San Francisco Giant, Aaron Rowand.

Four Phillies players are still arbitration-eligible, including hard-hitting first baseman Ryan Howard, shortstop Eric Bruntlett, and right-handers Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson.

[MLB]