Dioner Navarro Arbitration Results

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 10, 2009 11:43 AM EST Comment 37 comments

The Results: The Rays win

Just got word from Dioner Navarro’s agent, Kendall Almerico, that the arbitration panel ruled in favor of the Rays. That means Navarro will make $2.1 million this season, $400,000 less than he had asked for.

It sounds like yesterday’s hearing wasn’t too contentious, as Almerico sent along this statement via text message:

“Navi wants to thank the Rays organization for making this a fair debate and for handling the hearing with class. He is very excited to report to spring training and is looking forward to helping the team get back to the World Series.”

We argued back and forth on this issue and basically we saw value in both offers. The Rays policy to not negotiate pass their self imposed deadline(other than a long term deal) worked out and saved the Rays $400k in salary. As for damaging the relationship, from Almerico's comments it seems that the Rays didn't hurt anyones feelings in the process.

Updated payroll table:

Player	2009
Crawford	8.25
Pena	8
Burrell	7
Kazmir	6
Percival	4.45
Bradford	3.5
Iwamura	3.25
Wheeler	3.2
Shields	1.5
Balfour	1.4
Nelson	1.3
Gross	1.25
Kapler	1
Price	0.75
Longoria	0.55
Niemann	0.4
Bartlett	1.9
Navarro	2.1
Upton	0.4
Sonny	0.4
Howell	0.4
Riggans	0.4
Zobrist	0.4
Shouse	1
Cormier	0.65

Total: 59 million.

That's without Aybar's new salary and an estimate on Shouse, although he likely stands to make more.

Links to DRB's coverage of the Arbitration cases.

Dioner Navarro's Arbitration Value

Navarro compared to Gerald Laird/Russell Martin

Navarro compared to John Buck/Yadier Molina

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Comments

So now lets get him to a 3 year contract at

$2.5M, $3M, $3.5M with an option 4th year at $5.5M he gets what he wanted all along as well as security, we buy out arbitration and not have to worry about this potentially damaging process. 3/9 or 4/14.5 seems like a good deal for both sides.

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, and we wouldn't have to give up that much.

~George Costanza~

by Sandy Kazmir on Feb 10, 2009 11:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not too sure on your numbers there Sandy

While giving him a bump this year would be kind, your following raises are surely a little light. Good deal for the Rays, but if Navi duplicates or even maintains his ‘08 performance, he’s looking at more than $3K in ’10.

Seems to me arbitrator may have looked at Yadi Molina’s deal for comp, and saw the $2mm (inc. SB) in arb year 1 as a marker for Navi. But Molina gets raises of $1.5 MM, 1.0 and 1.0, then an option with a $1.75 bump.

Frankly the Rays policy of going to a hearing if numbers are exchanged seems a bit hard headed to me. Navi and Aybar had some of the smallest gaps in the filings. Does the fact that they won and saved $400K in this case (or $200 K off the midpoint) really matter in the grand scheme? We’ve seen how most players losing in arb leave when FA’s. A decent and young starting catcher is a nice thing to have and hold – not to say the Rays might not extend him now. And a $105 K gap with Aybar is worth possibly alienating a good bench piece that could slide into a starting role at any number of spots with injury or to replace FA Aki after this or next season? Seems a little ideological to me.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 10, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If Ryan Howard can agree to an extension, I doubt this hurts Navi or Aybar's chances.

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 10, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not saying it can't get done

I just don’t understand a hard policy in such matters. I thought flexibility was a desired trait.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 10, 2009 4:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They don't seem to bash the players.

No one has come out with hard feelings in this policy, so what’s the harm in going to arb?

by rglass44 on Feb 11, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's only a mil less than Molina

Who thus far has shown he is an elite defensive backstop. At this point Navi has had one awful year at the plate and behind it, and one year where he improved across the board. Trend or data point? 4/14.5 is very reasonable and when it expires he won’t even be 30 yet so, even for a catcher, he should still get at least one more multi-year deal.

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, and we wouldn't have to give up that much.

~George Costanza~

by Sandy Kazmir on Feb 11, 2009 11:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I just checked out Cot's and didn't realize Yadier has a 7M option after the 4th year.

Either way this seems very reasonable to a guy that’s probably due to regress this year. Of course I’m looking at 3M from the eyes of a poor civil servant.

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, and we wouldn't have to give up that much.

~George Costanza~

by Sandy Kazmir on Feb 11, 2009 11:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree it's reasonable deal as I said in one of the links above

Navi is better offensively. Even his awful 2007 wasn’t as bad as Molina’s .595 OPS in 05, but Molina is better defensively so that should even out.

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 11, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Molina’s .595 OPS in 06*

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 11, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kind words from that agent?

Now I see a 3+ year deal coming, Rays must of been really nice to him for that prick agent to thank them.

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Feb 10, 2009 12:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Rays couldn't have been too nice

Navi didn’t win.

What makes you call the agent a prick? His statements prior to the hearing? His job is solely to represent his client’s interests – nothing wrong with a little posturing.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 10, 2009 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Going on local radio and proclaiming that winning the arb case will be "Like taking candy from a baby"

Is posturing for problems, nothing more.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 10, 2009 3:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wouldn't call that prick-like

stupid maybe! The only problem is his here – he may have been unprepared. Navi did seem to have a good shot to win.

“Paging Mr. Boras… Mr. Boras to Tampa stat…”

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 10, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't call him a prick.

Frankly I’m unsure how the Rays won this, given the circumstances.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 10, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Almerico's concilatory tone bodes well

for future talks.

But it also sounds like somebody, and not Navi, might have gotten his butt handed to him in the hearing. Hence my prior comment.

Maube Boras can provide those famous binders of his on a contract basis Mr. Almerico.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 10, 2009 4:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well if you check out the Sports Law Blog

It sounds like the agent just relied on calling Navi an All-Star and then compared him to McCann and Mauer (you know other all-stars), I’m sure he had no credibility at that point. If I had been his agent I can tell you I would have been showing the drastic uptick in value over one season and the project that forward. Whether that is right or not, it’s better than comparing him to two of the best players (regardless of position) in MLB.

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, and we wouldn't have to give up that much.

~George Costanza~

by Sandy Kazmir on Feb 11, 2009 12:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Comparing Navarro to Mauer/McCann is like comparing Iwamura to Chase Utley.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 11, 2009 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They both hit left handed

Therefore they are the same

Anyway, as I was lying in the puddle, I think I may have found a way for us to get Bonds and Griffey, and we wouldn't have to give up that much.

~George Costanza~

by Sandy Kazmir on Feb 11, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not under the impression

that Almerico is a particularly prickish agent.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Feb 10, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

7.5 mil wrapped up in Bradford and Percy makes baby Jesus sad...

by davidsmarch on Feb 10, 2009 12:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

hey but its 7.5 mil to spend next season

Which wont even cover the contract raises and all the arby hearings but hey it helps a little.

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Feb 10, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I've got Percy at $4.45 MM in '09

based on incentives earned in ‘08 that are supposed to be added to his ’09 deal according to Cot’s.

So you’ve got another minimum + salary covered there next season by my numbers.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 10, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But $4.45 MM is cheap for a closer

he says tongue planted firmly in cheek.

And he’s sogood in the clubhouse. Bet he’s gritty, too!

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 10, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You seem to have been around a lot more lately...

too much witch hunting going on in Yankee land?

by rglass44 on Feb 11, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Is there a schedule anywhere when all the meetings are?

I have no idea when Aybar has his meeting(if we can’t get a long term deal)

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Feb 10, 2009 12:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not bad

Going from 460,000 to 2.1 mil. I will take that kind of pay upgrade any day of the week. Now, I hope Navi continues to earn that money. Go get ’em Navi!

In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Feb 10, 2009 12:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I thought you were a bartender?

Your employer better keep his eye on the till! That’s a lot of unrung drinks.

When did earning and pay in baseball get linked? Clubs get the benefit in years 1-3, then all hell breaks loose, then salaries plummet again for the post-prime vets. Kind of like that circle of life, baby to elderly thing.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 10, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nyyfaninlaaland

Kind of deep insight.

I WAS a bartender. Now, I am handle and assist with hotel reservations. Fun huh?

These pay upgrades are good and well if you earn them, if you end up getting hurt or have a down year you are really running with the bull horns at your end.

I love to see catchers making a good chunk of change. He was an all-star and could repeat again an all-star and maybe a gold glove. I hope then best for Navi.

In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Feb 11, 2009 6:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ed Edmonds, a well-respected law professor at Notre Dame and contributor to the "sports law blog" gave you guys a little plug.

http://sports-law.blogspot.com/2009/02/dioner-navarros-arbitration-hearing.html

by walkoffwalk on Feb 10, 2009 1:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Rays are close to signing Willy Aybar to a two-year deal, avoiding arbitration.
The contract would include an option for 2011. "It should be done real soon,‘’ agent Luis Valdez said Tuesday afternoon. "We’re just down to the details right now. The Rays have been great. This is going to be a great deal for Willy and his family.’’

So…..arbitration is gonna be over? Awesome.

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Feb 10, 2009 4:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs