Atlanta Braves: MLB arbitration-figures swap date looms
By Jeff Schafer
Braves have four players remaining as arbitration-figure swap date inches closer
The time has come again during the MLB offseason to talk about the arbitration players! On January 12, teams and players will exchange salaries. The Atlanta Braves have been known to be a “file-and-trial team”. This means they usually won’t negotiate deals after figures are swapped.
The Braves still have four players that are still on the arbitration clock.
This shouldn’t really be called a clock…it should be called a calendar. Arbitration is based on MLB years not minutes and seconds. A player is eligible for arbitration when they have been on a major league roster or disabled list for at least three years.
BUT, MLB Years are 180 days long and are written in a decimal format. So it gets a little confusing. After a player completes three years (by this MLB Years count) on a major league roster he’s arbitration eligible.
This is how it works for the majority of players, but a handful are known as Super Twos.
What’s a Super Two?
A player is a Super Two if:
- he has two years of major league service (2.000) but less than three AND
- was on an active major-league roster for at least 86 days in the previous season
Who’s left for the Braves?
The Braves have four players left that are arbitration eligible. All four are pitchers.
RHP Mike Foltynewicz, RHP Arodys Vizcaino, LHP Sam Freeman and RHP Daniel Winkler. Folty is a Super Two player. The three other pitchers are regular arbitration players.
MLB Trade Rumors put together a list of projections for all MLB players. The four Braves pitchers are below.
Sam Freeman – $1.2MM service time 3.066
Mike Foltynewicz – $2.7MM service time 2.163
Arodys Vizcaino – $3.7MM service time 4.168
Dan Winkler – $800K service time 3.000
The “file-and-trial” term has been a long-standing policy for the Braves. They stand by the thought that once the filing deadline passes, they will declare an end to further arbitration negotiations. This means if they don’t agree, the two sides will proceed to prepare for a ‘trial’ in front of the MLB arbitrator in February.
This policy tends to bring both sides to the table more often than not. It also serves to get this part of the business of baseball resolved well before players report to Spring Training.
The Atlanta front office went 14 years without going to an arbitration hearing. 2001 John Rocker to 2015 Mike Minor. That’s pretty crazy.
Last year, the Braves and Vizcaino went to the very last minute but were able to come to an agreement of a one-year $1.55 contract. This year, Vizzy will be looking for an almost double the cost price.
This is Vizzy’s 2nd-year of arbitration eligible and third if you count his Super Two year in 2016.
With money to spend, and the way other relief pitchers have been flying off the market, I see the Braves settling…hopefully.
The Braves and the players can agree to terms at any point throughout the next few days. News can break at any point so be on the lookout.
Next: Andruw Jones on verge of being removed from HOF ballots
Freeman and Winkler should be easy signs for the Braves. Folty and Vizzy could become difficult. This will be Alex Anthopoulos’ first big decisions that directly affect players that are on the roster. Will he be nice, affordable or hold out?