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Around SBN: Jeremy Lin Continues Rampage, New York Wins On Road

A's Decline Arb offers to Embree, Thomas

According to mlbtraderumors.com, via Mychael Urban, the A's have declined to offer arbitration to both of their Type B free agents.

Embree might've eventually yielded a top-50 draft pick in the '09 draft if he had been offered and signed with another team.  But the team eschewed the gamble that Embree would accept the team's offer and receive a ~$4M payday to be a back-end-of-the-bullpen reliever for the A's next year. 

The A's 40-man roster still stands at 39 players.

There are a few other free agents that will learn their arbitration fates tonight that might be of interest to A's fans:

-The Diamondbacks have already revealed that Type A FA Adam Dunn was not offered arbitration.  Dunn stood to earn a raise to perhaps $15M or more for '09, and the Diamondbacks apparently didn't want to risk Dunn accepting the offer and bloat their payroll.

-The Phillies will make a similarly important decision with Pat Burrell by 9 p.m. Pacific time tonight.

Pure speculation on my part:  Burrell and Dunn might become more attractive first-base options for the A's if they lack arbitration tags, since both players are Type A's and, if signed, would've cost the A's their second-round draft pick in '09.  (Obviously both players would become more attractive to every team, not just the A's, if they aren't offered arby).

Further evidence of league-wide hesitancy about arbitration offers came earlier today, when the Yankees reportedly declined an arbitration offer to Type A free agent Bobby Abreu, who seeks at least a three-year deal and would've yielded two high draft picks for the Yankees if they had offered arby and he had signed elsewhere. 

 

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WTF is Cashman doing

I understand Abreu, but Pettitte makes me WTF. I thought the Yanks NEEDED pitching.

And, no plz to Burrell and Dunn for A’s 1B.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 3:50 PM PST reply actions  

Breaking news*******

  The A’s lost their hitting coach Ty to the M’s. What will the A’s do?? Its going to be hard finding a hitting coach who’s team was last in almost every hitting stat. Mike Sweeney please come back and apply for the hitting coach’s job.

by Arcman on Dec 1, 2008 7:30 PM PST reply actions  

My sister's best friend is good friends with him.

I didn’t have the heart to tell her I was thinking don’t let the door hit ya in the ass on the way out.

This party's over

by lynnzgal on Dec 1, 2008 7:36 PM PST up reply actions  

via urban

 OAKLAND — As expected, the A’s on Monday night announced that they will not offer arbitration to any of their four free agents: left-hander Alan Embree, righty Keith Foulke, designated hitter Frank Thomas and outfielder Emil Brown.

Anyone surprised Embree didn’t get offered arbitration?

by dbeach13 on Dec 1, 2008 7:34 PM PST reply actions  

I am, because I don't think he would accept

with as many teams as are interested in signing him. But maybe the A’s feared he would, since he only wants to play one more year and might not want to relocate if he didn’t have to.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 1, 2008 7:40 PM PST up reply actions  

no surprise

  Embree would have gotten more than the 3 million the A’s declined. Rumor is the M’s want him and made a offer.

by Arcman on Dec 1, 2008 7:41 PM PST up reply actions  

You mean wouldn't have gotten more?

If he would have gotten more, offering him arbitration makes sense…

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 1, 2008 7:55 PM PST up reply actions  

Not sure why the A's didn't trade him to the Twins if they weren't going to offer arb

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 2, 2008 1:17 PM PST up reply actions  

While annoying that the A's won't get any comp picks,

ultimately it’s the right thing from the standpoint of the game of baseball. Getting compensation for either of those guys, given the way they performed, would have been almost inexcusably gimmicky.

MLB has GOT to fix this system. It’s ludicrous.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 1, 2008 7:57 PM PST reply actions  

yeah!

BB should think with every move, “what’s right for baseball?” ;)

Save Rajai Davis

by oakinboston on Dec 2, 2008 5:22 AM PST up reply actions  

also,

Jason Varitek was type A? geezus.

Save Rajai Davis

by oakinboston on Dec 2, 2008 5:33 AM PST up reply actions  

he's only compared against other catchers

That helps tremendously.

"I'll make a list for the record. These people should be trusted: Sal, andeux, rfloh, danny...and no one else. Certainly not me. And even extra super-certainly not NSJ."

by notsellingjeans on Dec 2, 2008 4:13 PM PST up reply actions  

I thought he was compared to other players whose names start with "V"

That’d be a cool system – especially for guys like Quintinilla.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 2, 2008 5:32 PM PST up reply actions  

yeah, it must. a lot.

also i spose last year he wasnt as terrible
i was just going off of watching him this year at fenway. yikes.

Save Rajai Davis

by oakinboston on Dec 2, 2008 6:08 PM PST up reply actions  

Well, if the DBacks didn't offer Arbitration to Dunn, I say go get him and stick him at 1B.

We can get him in his prime then let him leave. An he would def be better than anything we have right now. And come two or so years, we can always deal him if one of our 1B prospects are finally ready (Carter, Doolittle), or more likely, we can switch him over to DH since by then Cust will be gone one way or another.

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Dec 1, 2008 8:21 PM PST reply actions  

Rosterbation Proclimation?

If we signed Dunn and Furcal, I think we’d have a pretty damn good lineup.

CF Ryan Sweeney
SS Rafeal Furcal
1B Adam Dunn
LF Matt Holliday
DH Jack Cust
RF Travis Buck
3B Eric Chavez
C1 Kurt Suzuki
2B Mark Ellis

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Dec 1, 2008 8:34 PM PST up reply actions  

Dunn is an interesting optioln

If this move is a reflection of Dunn’s perceived market value he could pop onto the A’s radar. I wouldn’t want to go more than 4 years on a contract for Dunn and 3 would be even better, so if he could be signed for a 3-4 year deal at around 12M per I think it would be a good move. I had assumed that he would get considerably better offers than this, but if the DBacks were legitimately concerned he would accept arbitration maybe the market for him isn’t that hot.

by OkayJay81 on Dec 1, 2008 8:34 PM PST up reply actions  

Which is why I piloted the Dunn bandwagon right up until the Holliday trade

Now, though, I’m not as sure he makes sense. Especially if his contract keeps us from (at least) bidding for Holliday’s services.

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Dec 1, 2008 8:57 PM PST up reply actions  

Agreed.

1. The A’s don’t need that many big contracts on the books. Furcal is a MUCH bigger need than Dunn, and if Dunn’s on the books, it pretty much eliminates the A’s from potential Holliday bidding (I’m pretty sure the A’s don’t want to put themselves in a potential situation where they could be running into trouble when a lot of core guys are arbi-eligible in 2011).

2. He’s going to block Carter/Doolittle/etc, especially if he’s signed to a 3-4 year deal. I don’t think the A’s should pursue him unless its on a 2 year deal or less, and that’s greatly unlikely.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 9:01 PM PST up reply actions  

counter-point

If Dunn and Furcal were signed, Holliday might find Oakland to be a more attractive long-term option. “Commitment to winning” and all the usual free agent rhetoric.

"I'll make a list for the record. These people should be trusted: Sal, andeux, rfloh, danny...and no one else. Certainly not me. And even extra super-certainly not NSJ."

by notsellingjeans on Dec 1, 2008 9:08 PM PST up reply actions  

Moving Dunn to DH might be an option

by the time Doolittle or Carter was ready. That would solve the “blocking prospects” problem. Of course, you can just keep Cust if you’re willing to trade 10 HRs for millions of dollars.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 1, 2008 9:21 PM PST up reply actions  

Still waiting to hear on Burrell

The Phillies are one of the last four teams we’ll find out about, in terms of their arbitration offers.

mlbtraderumors.com has all the updates.

"I'll make a list for the record. These people should be trusted: Sal, andeux, rfloh, danny...and no one else. Certainly not me. And even extra super-certainly not NSJ."

by notsellingjeans on Dec 1, 2008 9:20 PM PST reply actions  

Wow, Phillies declined Burrell too!

Now the A’s could sign Burrell, Dunn, or Giambi to play first base in ‘09, and none of them would cost the A’s any draft picks.

"I'll make a list for the record. These people should be trusted: Sal, andeux, rfloh, danny...and no one else. Certainly not me. And even extra super-certainly not NSJ."

by notsellingjeans on Dec 1, 2008 9:29 PM PST up reply actions  

Now if only they'll play for free!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 1, 2008 9:30 PM PST up reply actions  

This must be a crazily pessimistic market

Even the Yankees are getting cold feet about offering arbitration. Abreu is also available unencumbered by the loss of a pick.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 1, 2008 9:37 PM PST up reply actions  

Just made a quick poll on the main page

I’d love for your guys to vote.

I would also be very interested in a scout’s take on Burrell and Dunn’s long-term ability to play first base.

Are they better than they would be in left? Can they adapt and learn the position to a level of competence?

"I'll make a list for the record. These people should be trusted: Sal, andeux, rfloh, danny...and no one else. Certainly not me. And even extra super-certainly not NSJ."

by notsellingjeans on Dec 1, 2008 9:40 PM PST up reply actions  

What a great time...

for the A’s to have cash and be buyers. Dunn might end up being a discount.

"I'll make a list for the record. These people should be trusted: Sal, andeux, rfloh, danny...and no one else. Certainly not me. And even extra super-certainly not NSJ."

by notsellingjeans on Dec 1, 2008 9:41 PM PST up reply actions  

I think Dunn was always going to be a discount

Toronto isn’t the only team with a bad GM

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Dec 2, 2008 10:31 AM PST up reply actions  

Burrell makes even less sense than Abreu

The Phillies just won the WS. They need a stopgap OF for one year, to hold the fort until Michael Taylor is ready.

Amaro and Co. are making some sketchy decisions here.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 9:42 PM PST up reply actions  

Can't they still re-sign him?

They’re just not hemmed into any given salary constraints.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 1, 2008 9:49 PM PST up reply actions  

May 1?

Don’t you have to wait til May 1 to re-sign if you don’t offer arbitration by the deadline?

Jeremy was safe. He jumped over the tag.

by mrrickyg on Dec 1, 2008 10:36 PM PST up reply actions  

Isn't offering arbitration to an arbitration eligible player the same as tendering?

Tendering is for non-arbitration eligible players?

It would make sense for the players to have collectively bargained that May 1st rule precisely to prevent teams from not offering arbitration then signing at a figure below what the player would have received in arbitration.

But obviously from my question marks I have no real clue, just what pops into my mind.

Jeremy was safe. He jumped over the tag.

by mrrickyg on Dec 1, 2008 11:09 PM PST up reply actions  

Tendering is offering a contract to a non-free-agent player

If the player is arbitration-eligible, he goes to the arbitration process. If not, he gets whatever the team feels like.

Now that I think on it, the May 1 rule can’t be for non-tenders, or the A’s could never have signed Calero last season after non-tendering him. I think that rule might be defunct.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 1, 2008 11:39 PM PST up reply actions  

The May 1st rule

was eliminated in the most recent collective bargaining agreement.

Link

by AsFanInLA on Dec 2, 2008 8:25 AM PST up reply actions  

mystery solved

Jeremy was safe. He jumped over the tag.

by mrrickyg on Dec 2, 2008 10:17 AM PST up reply actions  

Where did you see Burrell on MLBTR?

I haven’t seen it yet.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 9:37 PM PST up reply actions  

My bad.

Now I see it.

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 9:38 PM PST up reply actions  

correction:

now the A’s could sign Burrell, Dunn, and Giambi to play first base in ‘09!!! and it won’t even cost draft picks!

Save Rajai Davis

by oakinboston on Dec 2, 2008 5:25 AM PST up reply actions  

All 3 of them at 1B? thank should take care of the defense problem and the offense at the same time.

I take it each one would take turns batting? Giambi in the 1st inning, Dunn in the 3rd and Burrell in the 5th? and that they would only count as 1 player in the game.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Dec 2, 2008 1:35 PM PST up reply actions  

The Angels farm system sucks now but they could have a ridiculous 2009 draft

They have FOUR arbitration players on the market right now, including 3 Type As.

Cross your fingers and hope Darren Oliver and Jon Garland take arb— Oliver because it’s ridiculous for fugging Darren Oliver to be worth 2 draft picks, and Garland because he’s terrible.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 1, 2008 9:45 PM PST reply actions  

If Darren Oliver is a "type A" free agent,

then I must be a “type B” – because I’m also left-handed and my ability to get major league hitters out is at least comparable.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 1, 2008 9:50 PM PST up reply actions  

OMG PLEASE GARLAND ACCEPT ARBI

I would love to see this. Batting practice pitcher.

I ended up sigging an “open hope” to Garland

Jon Garland, pleasepleaseplease accept arbitration. Your mad iNNiNgZ eAtEr sKiLLz will be greater exemplified in next year's free agent class. kthxbai.

by Blicks on Dec 1, 2008 10:15 PM PST up reply actions  

I just do not see how even in this economic climate

that Burrell and Dunn were not offered arbitration. I mean, even if they accepted (very unlikely) then Burrell would fit great as a one year solution for Philly and Dunn would be very tradeable for Arizona — even with a big one year salary. Heck, Oakland would be interested in Dunn as a one year rental at 1B if it came down to it.

I realize that the draft picks have limited value, but to just throw them away for no reason seems bad decision making on the parts of the respective GMs.

by AsFanInLA on Dec 2, 2008 8:30 AM PST reply actions  

Especially when there are two of them

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 2, 2008 1:16 PM PST up reply actions  

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