[bucketsndimes]

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

Salary arbitration hearings were today and we didn't come out too bad. We were able to keep Jeff Karstens, Sean Burnett, Jered Weaver, Craig Hansen, Tyler Yates and Matt Capps. Eric Hinske and Adam LaRoche will likely sign elsewhere, but we should receive some draft pick compensation.

Here is the rundown on what each player got. Bolded is the salary that the arbitrator ruled in favor of. ...

Player | Salary Demanded | Salary Offered
Jeff Karstens | $800,000 | $600,000
Sean Burnett | $800,000 | $600,000
Jered Weaver | $8,500,000 | $4,500,000
Craig Hansen | $1,100,000 | $700,000
Tyler Yates | $1,200,000 | $1,100,000
Matt Capps | $4,600,000 | $3,500,000

We will also have more money than I expected to spend on free agents. $17.4 million is the budget room I have for this off-season. That's plenty and could nab us up to 3 solid players. I definitely need another starting pitcher, a first baseman and possibly another outfielder.

Here are some of the key free agents aside from Adam LaRoche and Eric Hinske who you already know of. ...

1. SP Rich Harden (17-9, 2.76 ERA, 246 K in 225.1 IP)
The most coveted pitcher on the free agent market, Harden had a tremendous season with a poor Cubs team. He has been prone to injury in the past, but his 2009 campaign has turned some heads.

2. LF Matt Holliday (.312 BA, 19 HR, 69 RBI, 16 SB)
Holliday is one of the best hitters on the league, and the best one on the market.

3. LF Marcus Thames (.259 BA, 41 HR, 119 RBI)
Thames was an unexpected source of power in the Detroit Tigers lineup. Anyone looking for a big bat will look his way.

4. RF Vladimir Guerrero (.265 BA, 13 HR, 74 RBI)
Guarrero had his worst season as a pro, but was still productive. Teams will look to the past and hope for similar numbers.

5. LF Brian Giles (.318 BA, 9 HR, 55 RBI)
Giles had another good year hitting the ball. That, coupled with his defense will draw suitors.

Other key free agents include John Lackey, Bobby Abreu, Johnny Damon, Russ Springer and Marco Scutaro.

It also looks like I have enough room to go after LaRoche. However, he does want to test the free agent market, and may be able to make more money elsewhere. Anyway, time to get to work.