Reds exchange arbitration numbers with EE and Weathers

[Tom Servo]

From Fay:

The Reds exchanged arbitration figures with reliever David Weathers and third baseman Edwin Encarnacion.



The Reds offered Encarnacion $2.55 million. He countered at $3.7 million. He made $450,000 last year. The Reds offered Weathers $3 million. He countered at $4.6 million. He made $3.3 million last year.



Players don't lose in arbitration even if the hearing doesn't go their way.

[jesusfan]

Weathers 4.6 million?? LOL

[hebroncougar]

Weathers 4.6 million?? LOL

For a guy that's been 130+ to league ERA the last 3 seasons, and made $3.3 million last year? With the Reds offer at 3, I don't see how Weathers loses. They're asking him to take a pay cut?

[redsmetz]

For a guy that's been 130+ to league ERA the last 3 seasons, and made $3.3 million last year? With the Reds offer at 3, I don't see how Weathers loses. They're asking him to take a pay cut?

My guess is that both will be settled before arbitration. I think EE comes in around $3M - Weathers number will be a slight raise over last year, somewhat closer to his number (maybe $3.75M).

[dougdirt]

For a guy that's been 130+ to league ERA the last 3 seasons, and made $3.3 million last year? With the Reds offer at 3, I don't see how Weathers loses. They're asking him to take a pay cut?

My thoughts exactly.

[SMcGavin]

Wow, the Reds are going to have a really expensive bullpen.

[AmarilloRed]

I think more players should have accepted the arbitration offers they were given by their teams. David Weathers was one of the smart ones.

[blumj]

Wow, the Reds are going to have a really expensive bullpen.

It sure seems to me like a bit too much of their payroll is tied up in their bullpen.

[Highlifeman21]

Wow, the Reds are going to have a really expensive bullpen.

Really expensive and most likely really crappy.

[SMcGavin]

Really expensive and most likely really crappy.

I don't know about really crappy. I think it'll be OK, just not as good as you'd hope for the dollars being spent.

Odd fact I found looking up contracts of our bullpenners: Did you know Mike Lincoln has a clause in his contract giving him bonuses based on numbers of starts made? His salary is bumped $50,000 for hitting each milestone of 12, 15, 18, 21, 23, 25, and 27 games started. Weird.

[Screwball]

Odd fact I found looking up contracts of our bullpenners: Did you know Mike Lincoln has a clause in his contract giving him bonuses based on numbers of starts made? His salary is bumped $50,000 for hitting each milestone of 12, 15, 18, 21, 23, 25, and 27 games started. Weird.

I hear he also gets a bump every time a unicorn eats leprachauns while picking 9 leaf clovers.

But I agree, the Reds' bullpen will not be crappy. Not sure what basis there was to suggest that in the first place, but there are some electric arms in there along with others that have solid track records. They may not repeat their performance from '08 (3rd best BP ERA in the league), but I seriously doubt the bullpen will be a liability.

[WebScorpion]

The Reds offered Encarnacion $2.55 million. He countered at $3.7 million.

$3.7 million for EE?? that's over $150,000 per error!!

[TRF]

$3.7 million for EE?? that's over $150,000 per error!!

How much is it per HR he hit's?

[REDREAD]

I think more players should have accepted the arbitration offers they were given by their teams. David Weathers was one of the smart ones.

Yes, Weathers was smart.

I was afraid of this when Weathers was offered arb. Weathers will probably make double what he would on the free market. He'll get paid for 2 years and only have to work 1.

Really, if the Reds only submit 3 million, Weathers should take them to arb. He will most likely win. Weathers has some nice stats, including saves. My guess is that he will get his 4.6 million pretty easily. Why settle for 3.5 million or so if you are Weathers? Go for the gusto.

Anyhow, I see Weathers getting payback for some of those years he worked relatively cheap and produced.

[Mario-Rijo]

According to Cots these are the figures for payroll starting the year before Castellini took over (rounded to the nearest hundred thousand).

2005: 61.9 Million
(Castellini and company takes over 11/05)
2006: 60.9 Million
2007: 68.9 Million
2008: 74.1 Million

So let's see if we can get an idea of where we are now to see what at most we can expect to happen moving forward.

2009 Payroll obligations for former players:
Stanton - 500K
Ross - 375 K
Castro - 100 K

Total 975 K

Payments from other clubs:
2 Million from O's for Hernandez

Pen:
Cordero - 12 Million
Weathers - 3 to 4.6 Million
Rhodes 2 Million
Lincoln 1.5 Million
Burton 400K
Bray 400K
Masset 400K

Total 19.7 - 21.3 Million

Rotation:
Harang - 11 Million
Arroyo - 9.5 Million
Volquez - 400K
Cueto - 400K
Owings - 400K

Total 21.7 Million

Starting 8:
Hernandez - 8 Million
Votto - 400K
Phillips - 5 Million
Gonzo - 5.375 Million
EE - 2.55 to 3.7 Million
Gomes - 800K
Taveras - 2.25 to 2.5 Million
Bruce - 400K

Total 25.025 - 26.175

Bench:
Hanigan - 400K
Dickerson - 400K
Keppinger - 400K
Rosales - 400K
Hairston - 2 Million

Total 3.6 Million

Other:
Alonso 400K

Grand total

69.15 - 72.15

Guesstimated salary with final arb. #'s
71 Million

Guesstimated cap
80 Million

Total available no more than 9 million but probably less than that due to the economy. Also have to take into account guys who will be up and down and prorate that time at the major league from 400K per.

Summary:
Based on everything mentioned and the timing of the Gomes signing I'm guessing we are done. Unless we eventually come to the conclusion Gonzo can't go and we have that money insured we are just about tapped out. We might be able to squeak out a Nady trade (reportedly avoided arb. for 6.65 million) but unless the Yankees take on a little of that I doubt it. So my guess is what you see is what you get.

Anyone disagree or see anything I am missing?