Marte option declined

by Travis G on Nov 6, 2008 8:03 PM EST in New York Yankees News

In a surprising move, Damaso Marte's $6 million option was declined. This was a guy the Yankees had wanted for years, so I don't quite understand it. I know Phil Coke was phenomenal in limited action, but as the old axiom goes: "Don't put too much stock into March or September." Rosters are watered down, teams aren't playing as hard, etc.

They'll probably offer him arbitration, thereby assuring themselves a first round draft pick if he signs elsewhere. But if he accepts arbitration, his salary might actually go up (look at Scott Linebrink).

UPDATE 11/7 1:30 p.m.:

Negotiations are underway with Marte for a new deal worth about $12 million over 3 years.

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very interesting move

are the yanks trying to cut costs here? But if they offer him arb then he could get paid more?? Man…I’m confused on this one. I say they give him another season to see what we have.

by kdog on Nov 6, 2008 10:29 PM EST reply actions

i think it's the right move

$6 million is too much for this guy. And quite frankly, he didn’t exactly impress the hell out of me in Pinstripes.

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by NumberSeven on Nov 7, 2008 9:10 AM EST reply actions

I support the move ...

Marte didn’t impress me, either. Coke was superior. $6 extra large for a relief specialist is abit much for what we actually got. Hey, fire a few secretaries and George Costanza if it means more cash to land CC.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Nov 7, 2008 9:14 AM EST reply actions

right move, likely to stay

actually, this is a no-brainer, even though they likely intend to keep him

The option was for $6 million but his salary this year was only $2 million. When we offer him arbitration, then he either goes somewhere else and we get two picks, 1st round of signing team and a sandwich pick (before 2nd round), OR, if he accepts arbitration, he gets a raise, but on his $2 million salary, NOT his $6 million option. In other words, his arbitration raise would still likely be no more than $2.5-$3 million, making declining the option an absolute no-brainer.

They can also negotiate a longer term deal, at lower than $6 million annually, and rumors suggested Cashman and Marte were in fact discussing that…

Right move any way you slice it, and we either get him for a more reasonable deal, or get two extremely valuable picks… win-win either way…

by Moonlight Graham on Nov 7, 2008 12:12 PM EST reply actions