The two biggest arbitration cases: Betts and Springer

[Frobby]

The two biggest arbitration cases this year involve Mookie Betts and George Springer.    Here’s my take on them.

Mookie Betts, eligible for arbitration for the first time, is seeking $10.5 mm, while the Red Sox are offering $7.5 mm.   He has been worth 6.0, 9.5 and 6.4 rWAR in his three full seasons.    The $10.5 mm he is demanding would be just shy of the record for a first-time arbitration eligible player, which is the $10.85 mm the Cubs just agreed to pay Kris Bryant, who is a Super-2 one day shy of three years of service (worth 5.9, 7.7 and 6.1 rWAR the last three years).   While Betts and Bryant are very close on rWAR, more of Bryant’s value comes from offense (142 OPS+ to 120 OPS+), which tends to pay better.   I think this is a good case in which to meet in the middle, around $9 mm, maybe a little north of that.

George Springer is arbitration eligible for the second time, having been a Super-2 last season and earning $3.9 mm.   Springer also is asking for $10.5 mm; the Astros have offered $8.5 mm.   He had his second straight 5.0 rWAR season, improving his OPS+ from 125 to 144.    This also feels to me like a split the baby case, so I’d say pay him $9.5 mm and call it a day.    

[Il BuonO]

Betts is a complete player and I like Springer. Curious to see if he can be consistent and have another good year.

[Frobby]

Buck, commenting on MLB TV’s top 10 lists:

”Did you see the right fielders?    They had Mookie Betts third.   Really?   Mookie Betts is the best defensive right fielder I’ve ever seen.    He’s that good.    And what a difference he is playing right field  in that ballpark in Fenway.”

Clip out that one and save it for the arbitration hearing.    

[Frobby]

Betts took his arbitration case to a hearing, and won, getting $10.5 mm, just slightly under the record for a first-time eligible player.    

[Aglets]

Is Aaron Judge arbitration eligible yet? 

*looks it up*

*sees he won't be until 2020*

*checks current year*

*cries*