As has now been reported all over the internet, just prior to their scheduled Thursday arbitration hearing, the St. Louis Cardinals and outfielder Rick Ankiel came to terms on a one-year contract for $2.825 million. There is no word on whether there are any additional incentives.
That represents the midpoint between the $3.3 million Ankiel and agent Scott Boras requested and the $2.35 million the Cardinals originally offered. The 29-year-old pitcher-turned-outfielder hit 25 home runs in 413 at-bats in his first season as a full-time outfielder in the majors in 2008. The left-handed hitter can become a free agent following the 2009 season.
Even in compromise, Ankiel came out a winner. The increase of $1.85 million is 190%, or just under twice the amount of his 2008 salary of $975,000. Put another way, Ankiel came just $100,000 short of tripling his previous season’s pay.
In a press release Thursday, Cardinals’ Vice President/General Manager John Mozeliak said, “We are excited to get this deal done and put the process behind us. Everyone felt that this agreement was fair to both parties and we can now look forward to another strong season of play from Rick.”
I am surprised, but positively so. I had expected the two sides to battle it out and let the arbiters decide. Instead, settling at the midpoint seems most fair for both sides. It is refreshing to see the arbitration process work as designed – to encourage compromise rather than conflict.
Outfielder Ryan Ludwick is the last of the five Cardinals arbitration-eligible players to come to terms. His hearing is scheduled in Phoenix next Tuesday, February 17. Ludwick has requested $4.25 million while the Cardinals have offered $2.8 million.
The Median. Thats best for Ankiel big time. Saves the ball player and a fragile one he is. Boras is forced to ask when he is standing right there. It may mean the Boras is hoping that the Cards activity will increase his value by keeping him comfortable. Both sides win and Boras takes the no decision.
Yep, makes so much sense, I had doubted it would happen.
This is good news for the club. I think it may mean they are thinking longer-term about Rick. As a big Ankiel fan, I hope so. Still, I can’t help but laugh at Mo’s comment “another strong season from Rick.” If that quote had been cribbed from his arbitration hearing notes it would have used terms like “inconsistent,” “strikes out a lot,” “often injured,” etc.
If the Cards do their salary calculation homework, they should not have problems with Boras within an arbitration setting.
Ankiel could have a big season in 2009. If so, his marketplace worth next winter will be enhanced greatly by economic freedom allowing bids from rich teams.
Back in 1997, the Cards helped Boras loosen MLB’s bonus scale for elite US amateurs by giving a big bonus to Ankiel in round 2, well above normal for that round at that time. In this way, the Cards chose to work with Boras for their own betterment, while also helping bring higher bonuses to many amateurs thereafter.
Boras stays in Arizona with his team. Cards had to prepare, fly out west, and pay for their share of the hearing. I would be interested to know if the median was out there for awhile. Boras has all those guys on salary, he’s the lawyer. Both did the right thing. I can’t help but wonder who put there hand on the door or who jammed their foot up against it. Makes me think the Cards may be holing Rick for awhile. I still don’t see it though.
In a Goold article today, Ankiel said that the Cardinals knew a week ahead of time that he and Boras would settle at the midpoint. That would indicate the club was the one holding out until the end for a better deal.