Philadelphia Phillies Avoid Going to Arbitration
By Mike Lacy
. Image Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
After coming to an agreement with outfielder Ben Revere, the Phillies have managed to avoid going to arbitration with their five arbitration-eligible players.
Kevin Frandsen signed a one-year contract in December, and the team agreed on one-year deals with outfielder John Mayberry and pitcher Kyle Kendrick last week. They went through the process of exchanging arbitration numbers with reliever Antonio Bastardo and Revere, but were ultimately able to agree on a deal with both players before they could argue in front of an independent arbitrator.
Most teams will try to avoid going to arbitration and the Phillies are no exception. During the hearings, teams provide reasons why a player doesn’t deserve the money. This can often lead to bitterness and anger on the part of the player.
Phillies fans can take some solace that a year from now, if the team is attempting to negotiate with any of the five players as they reach free agency, there will be no hard feelings. I am sure that there are many fans who would be distraught if the team lost John Mayberry simply because his feelings were hurt by an arbitration hearing.