The Yankees decided to decline offering arbitration to 8 players yesterday including Andy Pettitte and Bobby Abreu who were Type A free agents and if they signed elsewhere would have resulted in the Yankees receiving draft pick compensation. Here is what GM Brian Cashman had to say about the matter:“The determination we made today was to make sure we control what amount we’d be spending, at least in the event that we’re fortunate enough to bring those players back,” NY Times
Let me translate into truth speak for you.
"We determined today that there is no f'n way we are spending a dime on Bobby. 16 Million dollars for that bum? I don't want him to even have any option to come back. Sure it sucks we won't get the draft pick compensation but we're the god damn Yankees we're going to lose all our draft picks anyway when we drop 140 on CC and 70 on Burnett and 150 on Big Tex anyway. Plus we can just drop loot on foreign players when we expand our scouting in the Dominican. Bottom line is I don't want that clown wearing the uniform anymore and decided that even though chances are slim he's going to wait until february to sign a 1 year deal instead of a multiple year contract elsewhere, I just don't want that option out there."
Cashman must really think that Bobby wants to play with the Yankees no matter what because this really makes no sense. I understand he does not want to give the man 16 million a year, but what 34 year old is not looking for his last long term contract? Abreu went .296, .371 OBP, .471 SLG, 20 HRs, 100 RBI, 100 Runs, 22 Steals last year so its not like he's not producing anymore. Can you remember the last time a player of Abreu's stature took a 1 year arbitration deal? I certainly can't. It just seems to me in the situation the Yanks are just throwing away draft picks they really could use considering they will lose picks for signing any of the free agents they are targeting.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, I understand not offering Andy arbitration. Why? Because in all likelihood the only places he's going are back to the Yankees or to Houston to retire. Sure the Dodgers have expressed interest but does he really want to spend his last years in a place where he has no prior experience and will have to move his family cross country? I'm willing to bet no. Therefore by not offering him arbitration the Yankees can offer him a salary which more closely resembles his 2009 value and not the bloated 2008 contract which he played under this past season.
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