Arbitration

[Pelican]

I’m embarrassed to admit that, despite starting and playing in several different seasons, I have yet to experience an offseason in OOTP. [I can’t seem to focus for long enough on 1952, or 1960, or 1971, or 2021, not to mention tinkering with 1914, 1932 with integration, and 1884). But I’m getting close, and I want to be ready. I’m curious what happens when a (modern) player reaches arbitration eligibility. If no contract is agreed upon, does OOTP take you through the arbitration process, with the two proposals, and an impartial AI arbitrator picking one of them? If so, does anyone have a feel for whether the AI arbitrator tends to favor players or owners? I am going to have several arb-eligible players. I tend to try and lock them into longer contracts, while they are still relatively “cheap”. But if that doesn’t work, I want to be prepared. Thoughts?

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Pelican

I’m embarrassed to admit that, despite starting and playing in several different seasons, I have yet to experience an offseason in OOTP. [I can’t seem to focus for long enough on 1952, or 1960, or 1971, or 2021, not to mention tinkering with 1914, 1932 with integration, and 1884). But I’m getting close, and I want to be ready. I’m curious what happens when a (modern) player reaches arbitration eligibility. If no contract is agreed upon, does OOTP take you through the arbitration process, with the two proposals, and an impartial AI arbitrator picking one of them? If so, does anyone have a feel for whether the AI arbitrator tends to favor players or owners? I am going to have several arb-eligible players. I tend to try and lock them into longer contracts, while they are still relatively “cheap”. But if that doesn’t work, I want to be prepared. Thoughts?

On the first day of the offseason, an alert will come through on your league dropdown about Arb. When you go into it, it lists all of the arb-eligible players in your franchise and the arb offer in place, which you can change or withdraw. Occasionally the player will accept the amended amount for their next year contract, or you can negotiate one separately, which if signed obviously removes them from the arb equation.

A few weeks later, the arb hearings take place and a decision is made for each player.

In my experience this process is pretty realistic and fair, and is based upon the player's performance in the season just past (as well as their age and potential to a small degree). The players, according to the manual, aren't particularly fond of arb, but I've not seen any major influence on their subsequent performance.

G

[Pelican]

Many thanks. Does it make any sense to start contract negotiations with arb-eligible players during the season? I have several guys having good years, and I would like to lock them into multi-year deals at a "discount", rather than go through the arb process. Or am I, like IRL, better off waiting to see if the arb rules change?

[oldfatbaldguy]

In my experience it's very difficult -- as it should be -- to get players to give up years of free agency. Occasionally it works. More often they say they don't want to be locked in. Sometimes if a guy has multiple arbitration years ahead, he'll compromise on a two-year deal that pays him a little more than next season's arbitration estimate but might save you money the year after that.

I don't see a downside to trying it, though. If they won't do it now, it can give you a read on how likely you are to be able to sign them down the road.

[Pelican]

Thank you. Of course, as a (long-suffering) Phillies fan, I have the fresh example of Scott Kingery, an absolutely can’t-miss prospect, who signed a five-year contract as a rookie, had one good year, then collapsed. At the time I thought the deal was a steal (for the team). Now in retrospect it seems to have been a steal for Kingery. They’re still paying him big bucks to play in AAA. Cautionary tale for me.

[luckymann]

My usual practice is to try and neg one year deals with arb-eligible players just to avoid the end-of-season hassle.

In my experience, the arb in the post-season ends up more often than not being higher than as per the salary sheet throughout the season, but the players base their demands on that figure with a slight premium. So if you can lock them down for less than 125% of that arb estimate I think it's usually a good move. Of course you do give up some flexibility because it becomes a fixed contract and will cost you to release them as opposed to if they are on arb. And obviously it depends on how tight your club's finances are.

[Pelican]

Understood. What I have troubling understanding is why players facing arbitration seem to prefer one-year deals. When I offer a multi-year contract , they decline to even negotiate. I gather they are expecting their value will increase. Or perhaps I am not factoring in the tremendous increase in value that comes with free agency - if the player continues to develop. Or maybe in my case they are suspicious of my ability to improve the Orioles over time, despite these investments, and they prefer to have options open to move to a contender?

[oldfatbaldguy]

It could be all of the above, but I think it's mostly that the system is set up for players to cash in after they get their service time in and become free agents. The game reflects this reality pretty well, imo.

[mrandrewcoatess]

Demands for baseball arbitration have increased in the past years, particularly in the game’s business sector, which is the last resort for settling a monetary dispute between parties. The expected end of a final-offer arbitration is a binding decision made by a panel of commissioners.