Categories
Arbitration Contract Negotiation MLB Players MLB Teams

MLB Arbitration Update

Yesterday, Dominic Perilli put together an excellent piece highlighting the decision by Prince Fielder to avoid salary arbitration and what Ryan Howard has to look forward to in the coming month.  What about a Florida Marlin looking forward to some fun final-offer arbitration?

Dan Uggla is asking for $5.35 million.  The Marlins offering $4.4 million.  He received $417,000 last season.

Uggla’s teammates, Jorge Cantu and Jeremy Hermida were able to avoid the arbitration panel.  Cantu signed a $3.5 million deal.  He received $600,000 last year.  Hermida signed a $2.25 million deal.

Another Florida team, the Tampa Bay Rays have a couple of arbitration cases pending.

Willy Aybar is asking for $1.05 million.  The Rays are offering $900,000.  He received $401,200 last season.

Dioner Navarro is asking for $2.5 million.  The Rays are offering $2.1 million.  He received $422,500 last season.

Here are what players outside of Florida are asking for compared to what their teams are looking to hand over:

  • Garrett Atkins: $7.95MM. Rockies: $6.65MM. Diff: $1.3MM.
  • Jayson Werth: $4MM. Phillies: $3MM. Diff: $1MM.
  • Justin Duchscherer: $4.6MM. A’s: $3MM. Diff: $1.6MM.
  • David Weathers: $4.6MM. Reds: $3MM. Diff: $1.6MM.
  • Zack Greinke: $4.4MM. Royals $3.4MM. Diff: $1MM.
  • Ryan Ludwick: $4.35MM. Cardinals: $2.8MM. Diff: 1.55MM.
  • Justin Verlander: $4.15MM. Tigers: $3.2MM. Diff: $950K.
  • Jeff Francoeur: $3.95MM. Braves: $2.8MM. Diff: $1.15MM.
  • Ryan Zimmerman: $3.9MM. Nationals: $2.75MM. Diff: $1.15MM.
  • Mark Teahen: $3.85MM. Royals: $3.05MM. Diff: $800K.
  • Corey Hart: $3.8MM. Brewers: $2.7MM. Diff: $1.1MM.
  • Mike Jacobs: $3.8MM. Royals: $2.75MM. Diff: $1.05MM.
  • Paul Maholm: $3.8MM. Pirates: $2.65MM. Diff: $1.15MM.
  • Nate McLouth: $3.8MM. Pirates: $2.75MM. Diff: $1.05MM.
  • Andre Ethier: $3.75MM. Dodgers: $2.65MM. Diff: $1.1MM.
  • Edwin Encarnacion: $3.7MM. Reds: $2.55MM. Diff: $1.15MM.
  • Conor Jackson: $3.65MM. D’Backs: $2.45MM. Diff: $1.2MM.
  • Josh Willingham: $3.6MM. Nationals: $2.55MM. Diff: $1.05MM.
  • Scott Olsen: $3.5MM. Nationals: $2.5MM. Diff: $1MM.
  • George Sherrill: $3.4MM. Orioles: $2.2MM. Diff: $1.2MM.
  • Rick Ankiel: $3.3MM. Cardinals: $2.35MM. Diff: $950K.
  • Kelly Johnson: $3.3MM. Braves: $2.35MM. Diff: $950K.
  • Casey Kotchman: $3.25MM. Braves: $2.475MM. Diff: $775K.
  • John Maine: $3MM. Mets: $2.2MM. Diff: $800K.
  • Wandy Rodriguez: $3MM. Astros: $2.25MM. Diff: $750K.
  • Rickie Weeks: $2.8MM. Brewers: $2MM. Diff: $800K.
  • Geoff Geary: $2.1MM. Astros: $1.425MM. Diff: $675K.
  • Brian Bannister: $2.025MM. Royals: $1.45MM. Diff: $575K.
  • Chad Durbin: $1.95MM. Phillies: $1.35MM. Diff: $600K.
  • Pedro Feliciano: $1.95MM. Mets: $1.35MM. Diff: $600K.
  • Matt Guerrier: $1.75MM. Twins: $1.2MM. Diff: $550K.
  • Brian Bruney: $1.55MM. Yankees: $1.1MM. Diff: $450K.
  • Brian Tallet: $1.3MM. Jays: $950K. Diff: $350K.
  • Shawn Camp: $950K. Jays: $700K. Diff: $250K.
  • Shawn Hill: $775K. Nationals: $500K. Diff: $275K.

By Darren Heitner

Darren Adam Heitner, Esq., is a preeminent sports attorney and the founder of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a Fort Lauderdale-based law firm specializing in sports law, contract negotiations, intellectual property, and arbitration. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2007, where he was named Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Admitted to practice in the state bars of Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, as well as multiple federal courts, Darren also serves as a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

As an adjunct professor, Darren imparts his expertise through teaching Sports Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at the University of Miami School of Law in the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law LL.M. program. His scholarly contributions include authoring several books published by the American Bar Association, such as How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know, and numerous articles in prominent publications like Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Above the Law. His thought leadership in NIL has earned him recognition as one of the foremost experts by The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and On3, and he has been lauded as a “power player in NIL deals” by Action Network and a “top sports trademark attorney” by Sportico.

Darren’s passion for sports law led him to establish Sports Agent Blog on December 31, 2005, initially titled “I Want To Be A Sports Agent.” The platform, created as a New Year’s resolution, has grown into a cornerstone of the sports agency community, offering in-depth analysis of industry trends, legal disputes, and agent-player dynamics. His commitment to the field is further evidenced by his representation of numerous athletes and sports agents, as well as his prior role as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington, where he developed and taught a course on Sport Agency Management from 2011 to 2014.

Darren’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the University of Florida’s 40 Under 40 Award, the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, and designation as the best lawyer in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine. He remains an active voice in the sports law community, sharing insights through his weekly NIL newsletter and his X posts, engaging a broad audience on legal developments in sports.