How does arbitration work in baseball

That information is communicated to the Players Association and the Labor Relations Department on March 15th following the hearings and is used by the two sides to help them craft arbitrator slates for the next year. Baseball arbitration is considered a pretty good gig for professional arbitrators.

At the beginning, salary arbitration cases were traditionally argued by an agent representing the player and by front-office personnel representing the club perhaps the GM, Assistant GM, or someone further down the organization chart.

Old-time baseball men were no match for law school-trained agents in a semi-judicial setting. Soon enough the teams caught on and began employing their own specialists and hiring their own lawyers. Currently the cases are almost always argued by professional labor lawyers guys like Mark Rosenthal and Eric Joss and neither side presently has a talent advantage.

Cases are prepared rigorously by personnel on both sides. Agents are known to hire full-time arbitration staff, and also to bring on short-term consultants and advisors during the off-season. Teams often do the same, bringing on interns or advisors and often designating senior Baseball Operations personnel to organize case preparation throughout the off-season.

If evidence is brought up that is not specifically listed in the CBA it is not to be considered by the arbitrators. For years, the Players Association executed a brilliant strategy. As free agency created market competition and poor payroll management, GMs would bid each other up and ink players to ridiculous contracts. In arbitration hearings, player-agents would make clear and convincing comparisons between their young stud and the mediocre talent with a ridiculously bloated contract.

The result was devastating for management. Each bad contract sent ripples through the market and forced salaries up for everyone, all the way down to two-year veterans in their first salary arbitration hearing. The rising tide of salaries in the open market would lift all boats.

In the labor agreement, the owners were able to address that in part. In other words, Super Twos can be compared to Super Twos and three-year players, but not four-year players. Threes can be compared to other threes and fours, but not fives. The exception is that fives can compare themselves to anyone, just like free agents.

The Players Association did secure a loophole, though. Each panel is directed to give as much weight to the argument as they choose to. Yes, there is, and this is one of the more confusing rules in baseball contracts.

This is critically different from the rule regarding maximum salary reduction for players who have not yet reached salary arbitration eligibility. In any case, it is incredibly rare for this rule to come into play. The nature of the arbitration system almost never propogates salary reductions. How does arbitration work in baseball? Ask Question. Asked 7 years, 2 months ago. Active 7 years, 2 months ago. Viewed 2k times. Improve this question. Tom Au Tom Au 3, 8 8 gold badges 24 24 silver badges 50 50 bronze badges.

Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. A list of what evidence you may present: The following evidence is admissable: The quality of the player's contribution to his club during the past season including but not limited to his overall performance, special qualities of leadership and public appeal. The length and consistency of his career contribution.

The record of the player's past compensation. Comparative baseball salaries the arbitration panel is provided with a table of confidential baseball salaries for all players broken down by years of service. The existence of any physical or mental defects on the part of the player. The recent performance of the club, including but not limited to his league standing and attendance. See the wiki on Arbitration : It is designed to encourage the parties to moderate their initial positions so as to make it more likely they receive a favourable decision.

Improve this answer. It works very well for the players. Not sure where you are getting your information from. To put , into perspective. A hearing is held between the club and the player, which is heard by independent arbitors. Then, the arbitors rule in favor of the player or the club. Should a player not have a contract for the upcoming season, and the club tender a contract, the player and club must agree on a salary number.

Both parties have to agree to a number by mid-January. Should the player and the club not agree on a salary number for the upcoming season, then the team and player go to salary arbitration.

The player and team both file a salary number they feel is appropriate, mostly based on the salaries of players of similar ilk and production over recent years. In a hearing in February, a panel of independent arbitors hears the case and rules either in favor of the player or the team.

Oftentimes, a player and the team will agree on a salary number before officially going to arbitration, and in recent years franchises have tended to sign players to extensions, often "buying out" years of arbitration and sometimes free-agency years.

Typically, players get raises during the arbitration process, but their salaries cannot be cut more than 20 percent in relation to the prior year. Comments from the press or references to salaries in other sports or occupations cannot be presented. Neither can team finances or previous offers presented in negotiations.

The player and team are bound to the number they presented by the deadline of January 17, Typically players are paid the bare minimum their first three years of service, as they have little to no negotiating power. Complaining or demanding a new contract is incredibly rare, as the player has no leverage. The salary arbitration process presents a means for the player to be more properly compensated.

Instead of complaining to the team or demanding their agent restructure their contract, they are presented with a legal forum to prove their worth. The system is not perfect, but it does present a means for the team and player to come to a compromise. Together with every thing which seems to be developing within this particular subject material, all your opinions are relatively exciting.

Having said that, I appologize, because I do not give credence to your entire suggestion, all be it exhilarating none the less. It seems to me that your commentary are not completely validated and in actuality you are yourself not fully certain of your point. In any case I did take pleasure in reading through it. I am just satisfied that you shared this useful details about. Make sure you keep us current this way. Appreciate your sharing.