Soriano trade eligibility if he accepts arb (clarification)

by scstrato on Dec 7, 2009 12:25 PM EST

Lots of mis-information floating around out there, so I thought I'd try and clarify. The MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement can be found here (in case you want to read it for yourself).

The CBA, Article (XX) Section (B) Paragraph (3) entited "Rights of Club" states:

If the Player accepts the offer to arbitrate, he shall be a signed player for the next season and the parties will conduct a salary arbitration proceeding under Article VI; provided, however, that the rules concerning maximum salary reduction set forth in Article VI shall be inapplicable and the parties shall be required to exchange figures on the last day established for the exchange of salary arbitration figures under Article VI. The Club shall be deemed not to have signed a free agent for purposes of paragraph (5) of this Section B when a Player accepts salary arbitration pursuant to this paragraph (3).

The key point here being that the player is not considered a free agent signing.

Article (XX) Section (B) Paragraph (6) entitled "Miscellaneous" sub-paragraph(a) states:

Any Club signing a contract after the expiration of the election period with a Player under this Section B may not assign his contract until after the next June 15. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, such contract may be assigned for other Player contracts and/or cash consideration of $50,000 or less prior to the next June 16 if the Player gives written consent to such transaction.

The first sentence does not apply to our case since it refers to Free Agent signings, or the signing of a contract after arbitration expiration. The second paragraph, however, does apply. I read this as to mean that a player who has agreed to arbitration can be traded but only with his written consent.

So, in summary, I was initially wrong by saying that Soriano can be traded immediately upon completion of his contract (and I have posted that in more than one thread so please ignore it). Gondeee's 12/7 11am update on the Soriano thread is accurate with the exception of the date, which is actually June 16.

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Comments

The key point here being that the player is not considered a free agent signing.

It says that the player is not considered a free agent signing for the purposes of Paragraph 5 (of section B), not that he isn’t considered a signed free agent.

Paragraph 5 is concerned with the maximum number of type A and B free agents a club can sign.

It does seem to say that a player who accepts salary arbitration is considered “signed” which would indicate that the player is considered a signed free agent for all other purposes (which would include trades), with Paragraph 5 being the exception.

by Lennox on Dec 7, 2009 2:51 PM EST reply actions

I read this as to mean that a player who has agreed to arbitration can be traded but only with his written consent.

I’m not convinced that interpretation is correct, though I see how you came to it.

Any Club signing a contract after the expiration of the election period with a Player under this Section B may not assign his contract until after the next June 15. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, such contract may be assigned for other Player contracts and/or cash consideration of $50,000 or less prior to the next June 16 if the Player gives written consent to such transaction.

I don’t see what language in the previous paragraph indicates arb acceptees can’t be traded. It specifically states signing a contract. Under the arbitration guidelines, the club doesn’t sign the contract, it’s awarded by a panel of arbitrators.

http://www.capitolavenueclub.com/

by PWHjort on Dec 7, 2009 4:05 PM EST reply actions