Shots Across the Bow: No more arbitration

Thursday, 31 January 2013 23:22

Written by Bill Brink

We won't have the fun of an arbitration hearing this year.

In today's Post-Gazette: Neil Walker and James McDonald agreed to terms and avoid arbitration.

The agreements bring the Pirates' 2013 payroll commitments to about $69.5 million, $56 million of which they must pay. The final 11 members of the active roster making the major league minimum and the rest of the 40-man roster bring the estimated opening-day payroll to about $75 million, $61 million or so of which the Pirates will pay.

That all changes if Francisco Liriano's deal becomes official.

Settling at the midpoints avoided hearings both sides probably wanted to avoid. The Pirates surely would have referenced McDonald's second half in their argument for a lower salary, something McDonald -- who would be in the room -- may not want to be beaten over the head with.