OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Architect of Oakland: The Pierre Lemieux Chronicles

raysfan6 · 11-28-2025, 12:51 PM

I next took a look at our arbitration-eligible players. Having dealt with arbitration hearings as an analyst, I try to avoid them as much as possible and agree on contract extensions, whether it be a one year deal or more. My predecessor had already offered contracts to a few arbitration-eligible players, and I did not want to ruffle any feathers by changing them unless I saw it absolutely necessary. The following fit in that category:
SP Justin Waldron offered a 1-year $7.8 million deal. He is 32 and wrecked, his velocity is dropping, and I will be rescinding that contract and seeing if he has any trade value. If not, I will let him walk.
1B Felix Reyna, offered a 1-year $3.96 million contract. He already favors the offer, so I won’t touch it.
2B Guillermo Salvador, offered a 1-year $3.12 million contract. As of now, I expect him to be my starting second baseman next year, so I won’t touch this one either.
3B Javy Rodriguez (24, 2.5* current/2.5* potential), offered a 1-year, $1.3 million dollar contract. He can play anywhere on the infield, but doesn’t have the bat to be a starter. He’s on his last option year, but I won’t touch the deal and will see if he can crack the team in the spring.

The only other arbitration-eligible player was reliever Justin Devlin, who missed all of last year due to an injury. He’s one of our better relievers, and I offered him a 1 year, $2.8 million dollar deal. RF John Massa (2*/2*) is 32 and past his prime, I will not tender him a contract.

We have a few players that are due for free agency, and only one is worth mentioning in detail. First baseman Jamie Wasserman (30, 2.5* current/2.5* potential), shortstop Mike Olvera (31, 2*/2*), and pitchers Steve Anello, Travis Thomas, Eric Carpenter (36, 2*/2*), Nelson Guzman (32, 2*/2*), Rich Miera (34, 2.5*/2.5*), and won’t be offered a contract. Seth Small is asking for a 5-year, $92 million contract. I don’t have the budget to offer him that at the moment, nor do I see myself offering him a long-term deal. I am debating on whether I should extend a qualifying offer to him or not. If he accepts, that’s $21.4 million on someone who I don’t envision being a starter, but on the other hand, his agent tells me he is seeking a multi year contract. He could be pulling my leg, but I won’t make a decision on that just yet.

We have 3 minor leaguers of note who are due for free agency. 1B Raffale Martinella (23, 2.5*/4.5*) is the #63 prospect in the UBL and had a 127 OPS+ in AAA last year. 1B Eric Weinert (25, 3*/3.5*) also spent the year in AAA and had a 111 OPS+. Luis Navarro (24, 2*/3.5*) is a little less developed than the two first baseman and had a 79 OPS+ in AAA. Martinella and Navarro were offered minor league contracts, and Weinert was added to the 40 man roster and added them all. They all have 3 available option years.

11-28-2025, 12:51 PM	#13
raysfan6 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 37	I next took a look at our arbitration-eligible players. Having dealt with arbitration hearings as an analyst, I try to avoid them as much as possible and agree on contract extensions, whether it be a one year deal or more. My predecessor had already offered contracts to a few arbitration-eligible players, and I did not want to ruffle any feathers by changing them unless I saw it absolutely necessary. The following fit in that category: SP Justin Waldron offered a 1-year $7.8 million deal. He is 32 and wrecked, his velocity is dropping, and I will be rescinding that contract and seeing if he has any trade value. If not, I will let him walk. 1B Felix Reyna, offered a 1-year $3.96 million contract. He already favors the offer, so I won’t touch it. 2B Guillermo Salvador, offered a 1-year $3.12 million contract. As of now, I expect him to be my starting second baseman next year, so I won’t touch this one either. 3B Javy Rodriguez (24, 2.5* current/2.5* potential), offered a 1-year, $1.3 million dollar contract. He can play anywhere on the infield, but doesn’t have the bat to be a starter. He’s on his last option year, but I won’t touch the deal and will see if he can crack the team in the spring. The only other arbitration-eligible player was reliever Justin Devlin, who missed all of last year due to an injury. He’s one of our better relievers, and I offered him a 1 year, $2.8 million dollar deal. RF John Massa (2/2) is 32 and past his prime, I will not tender him a contract. We have a few players that are due for free agency, and only one is worth mentioning in detail. First baseman Jamie Wasserman (30, 2.5* current/2.5* potential), shortstop Mike Olvera (31, 2/2), and pitchers Steve Anello, Travis Thomas, Eric Carpenter (36, 2/2), Nelson Guzman (32, 2/2), Rich Miera (34, 2.5/2.5), and won’t be offered a contract. Seth Small is asking for a 5-year, $92 million contract. I don’t have the budget to offer him that at the moment, nor do I see myself offering him a long-term deal. I am debating on whether I should extend a qualifying offer to him or not. If he accepts, that’s $21.4 million on someone who I don’t envision being a starter, but on the other hand, his agent tells me he is seeking a multi year contract. He could be pulling my leg, but I won’t make a decision on that just yet. We have 3 minor leaguers of note who are due for free agency. 1B Raffale Martinella (23, 2.5/4.5) is the #63 prospect in the UBL and had a 127 OPS+ in AAA last year. 1B Eric Weinert (25, 3/3.5) also spent the year in AAA and had a 111 OPS+. Luis Navarro (24, 2/3.5) is a little less developed than the two first baseman and had a 79 OPS+ in AAA. Martinella and Navarro were offered minor league contracts, and Weinert was added to the 40 man roster and added them all. They all have 3 available option years.