Valverde Avoids Arbitration

Espo

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Steve Gilbert tonight wrote:
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The D-backs have reached agreement with closer Jose Valverde on a one-year, $2 million contract.
"Jose couldn't be happier," said Bill Rego, Valverde's agent and president of RSM Sports Management. "He loves living in Phoenix and is very happy being part of the Diamondbacks."

Valverde, who made $359,000 last year, was 2-3 with a 5.84 ERA in 44 games. He began the season as the D-backs closer and was dominant for the first six weeks of the season as he compiled 14 saves in his first 15 opportunities.

After blowing back-to-back saves in late May, he was removed from the closer's position and was optioned to Triple-A Tucson on July 3, where he remained until being recalled on Aug. 14.

Upon his return, Valverde seemed to recapture his early season, form and he finished August with a 1.80 ERA and followed that up with a 2.08 ERA in September and October.

That stretch was good enough to win back his job as closer, and he converted five of six saves down the stretch.

"Going into Spring Training, he's our closer," D-backs manager Bob Melvin said earlier this offseason.

According to Rego, the $2 million salary is the largest ever for a player that had been optioned to the Minors at some point during the previous season.

"Peter Woodfork was extremely fair in recognizing the value that Jose brings," Rego said, referring to the D-backs assistant GM who is widely respected throughout the industry for his work on contracts. "We worked hard to get this done."

The D-backs now have four players eligible for salary arbitration: pitchers Doug Davis and Brandon Lyon, second baseman Orlando Hudson and outfielder Eric Byrnes. Salary-arbitration figures are set to be filed on Tuesday.

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
 

Stallion

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Wow, that's a nice raise. Good for him.

Now, Jose, let's get those other numbers in order. :)
 

devilfan02

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He doesn't deserve a raise if your asking me. Blowing save after save and spending half the year in Tucson isn't worthy of a $1.5 million+ pay raise.

To be honest, I'm shocked we gave him that much money. With this offseasons inflated market he may have been rewarded that much in arbitration but I highly doubt it.

I truly hope Byrnes lets Valverde know what's expected of him. His 1 pitch arsenal and borderline emotion control are getting very old. Hopefully he's kept on an extremely tight leash
 

coyoteshockeyfan

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You can scratch Hudson and Lyon off the arbitration list as well. Hudson gets $3.9M, Lyon gets $1.5M.

Outfielder Eric Byrnes and pitcher Doug Davis are the only remaining arbitration-eligible players. Davis, who was acquired by the D-backs as part of a six-player trade from the Brewers in November, is seeking $7.5 million while the D-backs have offered $5.25 million. Byrnes is seeking $5 million, while the club offered $4.25 million.

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com...t_id=1780608&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari
 

Phxchris1989

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Jose was a very reliable closer too start the season, and looked like he got his stuff back towards the end, but it was just too little, too late. Here's hoping he has great rebound next year.
 

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