According to several media outlets, the Boston Red Sox have decided to offer arbitration to David Ortiz and Dan Wheeler. They had until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday night to do so.
This means a few things for the Red Sox.
With the new CBA done, Ortiz is still a Type A free agent. So if he decides to sign with another team, the Red Sox will still receive two draft picks as compensation, a first rounder and a supplemental pick. They’ve already picked up two draft picks when the Phillies signed Jonathan Papelbon as he also fell under the new rules of compensation in the new CBA.
Ortiz can accept the offer and come back on a one-year deal worth more than the $12.5 million he made last year. It’s still quite possible he and the Red Sox can work out a new deal.
The move to offer arbitration to Wheeler is a little bit odd to me.
They had previously declined a contract option on him worth $3 million for 2012. Now by offering him arbitration should he accept, he’ll make more. They would receive a draft pick as compensation if he decides to sign with another team. According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, if Wheeler accepts, they’ll have to offer him at least $2.4 million.
Both players now have until December 7th to decide whether or not to accept the offer of arbitration from the Red Sox. If you’re Wheeler, I don’t see how you say no.
The Red Sox didn’t offer arbitration to Erik Bedard, J.D. Drew, Conor Jackson, Trever Miller, Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield.
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