Indians arbitration record

[canonfaz]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3226247

The club hasn't gone to arbitration with a player since 1991.

Questions for people smarter than me:

1. Is this the norm for team to try to avoid arbitration?

2. Is the arbitrator a "baseball person"? or is it strictly on who has the better lawyer?

3. How often do the Orioles go to arbitration with their players?

Just curious... thanks

[Boy Howdy]

In the past, the Orioles took great pride in not going to arbitration with their players, in part because the experience can leave a bad taste in the mouth of the player. This is true because the team pulls out every negative thing they can say about the player to explain why they shouldn't have to pay him the figure he's seeking.

Here's a brief history of the Orioles & arbitration that I posted in another thread recently.

The Orioles beat Paul Blair & Bobby Grich in 1974, but lost to Dave McNally.

In 1980, they beat Billy Smith.

After that, 12 years passed before they went to another hearing.

Bob Milacki won his case in 1992.

Alan Mills lost in 1994.

Ben McDonald won & Leo Gomez lost in 1995.

Arthur Rhodes lost in 1996.

Tony Tarasco lost in 1998.

Charles Johnson lost in 1999...and again in 2000!

Jose Mercedes lost in 2001.

I couldn't find the data for 2005.

Rodrigo Lopez lost in 2006.

In short, Dave McNally, Bob Milacki & Ben McDonald are the only players to beat the Orioles in arbitration.

[canonfaz]

wow. thanks for the great response and info... thats interesting.

rep points