The Baltimore Orioles? first step to finalizing contracts with three of their players was completed yesterday, the last day for players to submit arbitration figures to the club.
Second baseman Brian Roberts, center fielder Corey Patterson and left-handed starter Erik Bedard each filed their arbitration figures with the club as the deadline to do so passed Wednesday.
Players are eligible for arbitration after compiling three years of major league experience.
Roberts, who was reportedly the subject of trade talks in early December, is under the club?s control through the 2008 season. He battled back from offseason elbow surgery to hit .286 with 10 home runs, 55 RBI and a career-best 36 steals in 138 games in 2006. After earning just over $3 million last year, he asked for $4.6 million, and the club countered with an offer of $3.8 million.
Patterson, acquired in a Jan. 2006 trade from the Chicago Cubs, is under Orioles control through the end of the upcoming season. He batted .276 with 16 home runs, 53 RBI and a career-best 45 steals in 135 games. After earning $2.8 million in 2006, he asked for $4.6 million while the O?s countered with $4 million.
Bedard, who established himself as the club ace in 2006 and is likely to be this year?s opening-day starter, is under club control through 2009. He broke out in 2006 with career highs in wins (15), ERA (3.76), innings (196.1) and strikeouts (171). Bedard earned $1.4 million in 2006. He asked for $4 million, and the Orioles submitted an offer of $2.7 million.
The Orioles have experienced great success in arbitration hearings, losing just once ? to Ben McDonald in 1995. Orioles general legal counsel Russell Smouse, who represents the club in arbitration hearings against the opposing player’s agent, is undefeated in such cases.
Arbitration hearings are held from Feb. 1 through Feb. 20, and leading up to a hearing, the player and the club can continuously exchange figures trying to reach an agreement early.
The Orioles do not release arbitration figures. The figures used in this story were first reported by the AP.
