ESPN MLB

The decision to tender a contract to a player who is arbitration-eligible is based upon one simple question: Is the player's expected arbitration value commensurate with his real value to the team?

If the player's value is deemed to be less than the expected outcome of the arbitration process, it is unlikely the club will tender the player a contract, which ultimately sets him free.

If the club thinks the arbitration value will be too high but still likes the player, the club must decide whether there is a salary figure that makes sense. (Remember, with salary arbitration, the team gives an arbitrator one number, the player and agent give another number, and the arbitrator picks one or the other -- not an in-between number.)

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider