Oakland Athletics Arbitration Estimates

The Oakland Athletics have 14 players who are eligible for arbitration this off-season and the results of their negotiations could dramatically alter the payroll of the A’s in 2015. Arbitration is a process in which players who are not yet free agents can negotiate a better pay scale based on the market value of their position and skill set. It is a unique contract negotiation because the players are still under team control and, in theory, could remain at the league minimum wage until free agency. Teams and players submit a wage proposal to each other and if neither side can agree on the other’s total or negotiate to the middle, both parties are scheduled an arbitration hearing in which they both have one hour to state their case for the proposed wage. Arbitration is done in front of a three person panel and their ruling is final.

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We’re going to look at all 14 players on the Athletics arbitration list for 2015 and discuss the possible implications their new contracts will have on the team. According to Baseball Reference, the estimated payroll for the Oakland Athletics is sitting at $82.6 million which is less than last year. With the signing of Billy Butler and the eventual acquisition of a shortstop, I could see that number ballooning a bit before opening day.

Our arbitration estimates are taken directly from MLB Trade Rumors who have come up with a remarkably accurate formula for predicting where teams and players will ultimately settle. Without further ado, let’s begin with one of the Athletics’ most watched arbitration players, John Jaso.

Next: What Will Jaso Earn?

Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

John Jaso

Jaso is expected to fetch $3.3 million for his 2015 season, a million dollar raise from 2014. Despite his concussion shortened season, Jaso still managed to appear in 99 games and earn a .264 batting average with 9 home runs and 40 RBI’s. At this point, it is unclear what the Athletics will do with Jaso considering their incredible depth at the catcher, first base, and designated hitter spot. While the A’s may not be willing to gamble on Jaso behind the plate this year, his price tag may be in a good neighborhood to land him as a backup catcher for another team and could help encourage a trade that lands the A’s a decent shortstop.

Next: What Will The Shark Bite?

Jeff Samardzija

Samardzija is estimated to receive a $4.1 million raise to bring his salary up to $9.5 million. This puts the Athletics in a strange spot because it’s not an unreasonable price for their payroll, especially for the man who will be their one or two pitcher in 2015 but with only one year remaining under team control he may still be a trade chip if the A’s seem out of contention by the trade deadline.

On the other hand, with Scott Kazmir set to make $2 million more than The Shark in 2015, it may make sense for the A’s to hold onto Samardzija and use Kazmir as trade bait. Of course, if these two are killing it at the deadline, expect to see them both in green and gold. Of all the things we don’t understand about Billy Beane, his trade strategy for pitchers is pretty high on the list.

Next: Kyle Blanks

Kyle Blanks

Blanks is expected to earn $1.3 million in 2015. Blanks batted .333 in 56 plate appearances with two home runs in 2014, making him a little more than twice as good as Daric Barton and putting him on pace for a 20+ home run season (if he saw as many plate appearances as Brandon Moss). Blanks will be a free agent in 2016 but considering how low his paycheck will be going into free agency, Blanks may be a candidate for a contract extension for when the A’s inevitable rebuilding begins. That being said, there are currently 47 first basemen on the 40 man roster so it’s anybody’s guess what the plan is there.

Next: What's The Boss taking home?

Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Sam Fuld

Fuld, who is under team control through 2016, is expected to make $1.6 million in 2015. In 60 games, Fuld managed to earn a 1 WAR which, over the course of a full season, could put him towards the top of the WAR rankings in Oakland. We all know he’s fast and he does a cool somersault when he throws from left field but he he does lack in power and hit only .209 in 195 plate appearances.

It’s very possible we’ll see Fuld lumped into a trade (maybe with Jaso?) before spring training gets here. He’s fun to watch on the field and he seems like a crazy nice guy but I wouldn’t get too attached if I were you.

Next: Jesse Chavez

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Jesse Chavez

If you don’t think Chavez proved his worth last year when he stepped into the starter role than you’re not allowed to comment on this article. Chavez is expected to make $2.55 million and will be under team control for two more seasons. This is an incredibly reasonable price to pay a man who can start a game, pitch in long relief or do a single inning. I don’t expect to see Chavez on the trade wire any time soon.

Next: What will Gentry earn?

Craig Gentry

Craig Gentry has two more seasons under team control and will be making about $1.5 million in 2015. Gentry’s 2014 season was cut short but in 94 games he managed a .254 average and 20 stolen bases. With stolen bases biting the A’s in the butt during the wildcard, I’d expect them to focus a bit on their small ball game and Gentry will be a critical component to that game.

Next: Is Spiderman worth the money?

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Reddick

Reddick was a tough negotiation last season and very well could be this year as well. What’s the struggle? Well, despite being a Gold Glove winning right fielder who is capable of a 30 run season, he’s also capable of a .220 batting average for the year. The case can be made that his second half numbers were more indicative of his true worth to the team but the team really needs to consider the whole package and that first half may hurt him. Reddick should make $3.7 million in 2015 but with two seasons remaining under team control, we may see Reddick on another team sooner than later.

Next: Not paying Fernando would be Abad idea

Fernando Abad

The A’s would be crazy to lose this guy. He’s slated to make $900,000 in 2015 and has three seasons under team control. They’d be crazy.

Next: What to do with Sogard

Eric Sogard

Sogard is a lightning rod among fans. The case has been made that he’s worth keeping for his defense alone, if he can manage a .230 average or so, but the case has also been made to dump him to the curb. Like Reddick, his second half numbers were quite good but his overalls are damaged by his first half performance. Sogard should get a contract for $1 million and has three seasons remaining under team control.

Next: You don't even know this guy!

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Fernando Rodriguez

If you’re wondering who this guy even is, you’re not alone. Rodriguez pitched 9 innings in Oakland last year and had a lights out 1.00 ERA. Obviously, that’s a tiny sample size but for the $900,000 he’s expected to make, it’s a pretty low risk gamble to give him some more time in 2015 or to lump him into a trade down the line.

Next: Too many Cook in the bullpen?

Ryan Cook

Ryan Cook is expected to make $1.3 million in 2015 and has three seasons under team control remaining. Cook hardly instills the confidence that he once did when he takes the mound and I wouldn’t be surprised, or sad, to see him traded during this off season.

Next: Parker? I hardly even know her

Jarrod Parker

Parker is going to join the team after his second Tommy John surgery in 2015 and the recovery from a second TJ is much less positive than the first but many players have recovered fine and maintained strong careers. At $900,000, Parker is hardly a high risk paycheck for the A’s and I expect to see him pitching in the green and gold for at least one more season, if not his three remaining seasons under team control.

Next: The Bringer of Rain

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Donaldson

The Bringer of Rain was an All-Star and a Gold Glove finalist in 2014. Add that to being a fan favorite and under team control for four more seasons and the Athletics will probably pay him whatever it takes which, for 2015, will probably be $4.5 million. He will be in his early 30’s when he hits the free agent market so it’s unlikely that the A’s will offer him an extended contract to keep him around beyond his arbitration years unless it’s for one or two years beyond their control and with some performance goals built in. Expect to see him on opening day.