Quote:
Originally Posted by Carplos
The goal of arbitration isn't to give player free market contracts, it's to give them "fair" salaries.
I'm not sure where you're getting the idea that arbitration is designed to give the same type of contracts free agents get.
|
I'm not of the idea that they get the same as free agents get. Free agent salaries will naturally go higher, as they are awarded under an auction/bidding type scheme.
As you said, the goal of arbitration is to give them 'fair' salaries. Thus, if the average superstar in the league should make ~$9 million according to the league setup, the best pitcher in the league (which should make him a superstar) should be making well over $3.9 million in arbitration.
I would expect the arbitration salaries of superstars to be about $8 million - $10 million, then the FA salaries of the same superstars to be anywhere from $9 million to $14 million, depending on age and available cash in the league.
The fact that it goes from $3.9 million in arbitration to $14 million via FA just doesn't seem right.