De Aza Arbitration Hearing Winner (Orioles Win)(H. Russell Smouse 8-0)

[ShaneDawg85]

Betting against the Orioles in arbitration cases is like trying to run on Matt Wieters when he's at his best. You just don't do it.

[weams]

Well, shiver me timbers. I will never doubt the Orioles ever again. I honestly don't see how they won this one, and if this was winnable, why they didn't push harder on some of the other cases where I thought they were in better position. But I am absolutely done doubting them when they decide to take a player to the mat.

Russell. The Love Muscle.

[Frobby]

I think Norris was easily a winnable case this year. I think Britton was a winnable case. I'm surprised the O's didn't fight those or drive a harder bargain.

But I think the O's are reluctant to take a player to arbitration when they've been a significant contributor to the team's winning ways. Both Norris and Britton were in that category, while De Aza was only here for a month. So the decision to take him to arbitration may have turned on more than just the merits of his case relative to the other players'.

[weams]

I think Norris was easily a winnable case this year. I think Britton was a winnable case. I'm surprised the O's didn't fight those or drive a harder bargain.

But I think the O's are reluctant to take a player to arbitration when they've been a significant contributor to the team's winning ways. Both Norris and Britton were in that category, while De Aza was only here for a month. So the decision to take him to arbitration may have turned on more than just the merits of his case relative to the other players'.

And to serve as additional negotiating weight going forward. 8-0 is impressive to the agents.

[Can_of_corn]

I think Norris was easily a winnable case this year. I think Britton was a winnable case. I'm surprised the O's didn't fight those or drive a harder bargain.

But I think the O's are reluctant to take a player to arbitration when they've been a significant contributor to the team's winning ways. Both Norris and Britton were in that category, while De Aza was only here for a month. So the decision to take him to arbitration may have turned on more than just the merits of his case relative to the other players'.

I would have gone with Britton, he has three more trips and any money saved now will impact those three trips.

Of course I don't expect him to be on the team that long.

[Crazysilver03]

Agreed that the Orioles probably could have won 3 or 4 cases. Surprised they won this one but good, I guess.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Frobby]

And to serve as additional negotiating weight going forward. 8-0 is impressive to the agents.

Yeah, but I did not see this case as a clear win for the Orioles -- far from it. I'd love to have some real insight into the process and how these arbitrators think. I don't know how you square the De Aza result with the Alvarez result or the compromise Parra reached.

[Beef Supreme]

I think Norris was easily a winnable case this year. I think Britton was a winnable case. I'm surprised the O's didn't fight those or drive a harder bargain.

But I think the O's are reluctant to take a player to arbitration when they've been a significant contributor to the team's winning ways. Both Norris and Britton were in that category, while De Aza was only here for a month. So the decision to take him to arbitration may have turned on more than just the merits of his case relative to the other players'.

Maybe the should have offered Matusz $1.92MM. :-)

[Can_of_corn]

Yeah, but I did not see this case as a clear win for the Orioles -- far from it. I'd love to have some real insight into the process and how these arbitrators think. I don't know how you square the De Aza result with the Alvarez result or the compromise Parra reached.

Same arbiter?

[Frobby]

Same arbiter?

I have no idea. But the differences shouldn't be that drastic.

[Can_of_corn]

I have no idea. But the differences shouldn't be that drastic.

Just throwing it out there as a possible factor.

[wildcard]

Much more important than winning the case is how De Aza will be affected after listening to Smouse tear him apart.

[weams]

Just throwing it out there as a possible factor.

Or maybe the Orioles presented their case better? Not all teams have the Muscle.

[Can_of_corn]

Much more important than winning the case is how De Aza will be affected after listening to Smouse tear him apart.

It should serve as motivation.

And who said Smouse teared him apart? More then one way to skin a cat.

[Frobby]

Just throwing it out there as a possible factor.

It's a very valid point -- though it shouldn't be. This stuff isn't rocket science. I think you also have to consider that the quality of the presentations matter a lot, and Smouse clearly is the Clarence Darrow of baseball arbitration. Maybe Angelos could make some money by hiring Smouse out to other teams at $10,000 an hour.