Brewers, Graffanino avoid arbitration

[645]

The Milwaukee Brewers aren't through with Tony Graffanino just yet.

One day after choosing to sign free-agent infielder Craig Counsell instead of Graffanino, general manager Doug Melvin and his staff were mulling Thursday whether to offer salary arbitration to Graffanino by the midnight deadline tonight.

Though Graffanino no longer figures in the Brewers' plans for 2007, they might offer him arbitration for one very tempting reason. He is a Class A free agent, and should another team sign Graffanino, the Brewers would get that team's first-round draft pick as compensation as well as another pick between the first and second rounds.

JSONLINE

[trwi7]

It'd be dumb if they didn't offer him arby.

[Hellwig]

That should be a no-brainer for us to offer him arby and a sweet deal for us if he decides to go elsewhere. The downside is he accepts and plays for us next season meaning we have two fairly high priced infield reserves.

[645]

Brewers offer arbitration

Real Smart move by the Brewers. Graffanino has been talking with San Diego and they some to be interested.

So eather 1) Graffanino could turn us down and sign with the Padrees and the Brewers get 2 Picks in the first 2 rounds of the June draft.

Or 2) he can accept and it would put the Brewers in a place to maybe Trade with the Padrees and maybe get a better deal.

[Hellwig]

Free-agent infielder Tony Graffanino accepted the Brewers' offer of arbitration.

He's now a signed player, and he should be due for a modest raise over the $2.05 million he earned last season. The Brewers could look to trade him in spring training if Corey Koskie manages to make it back healthy. As is, Craig Counsell is set to be their primary backup infielder. They're also planning to re-sign Jeff Cirillo.

Rotoworld.com

[Hellwig]

The Brewers will discuss a two-year deal with Tony Graffanino, who accepted the team's offer of arbitration last week.

"We'll talk about a two-year deal, but it isn't like there's a deadline," GM Doug Melvin said. "And if that doesn't work out, then we'll just bring him back for one year." Graffanino will be looking for a modest raise over the $2.05 million he made last season

Rotoworld.com

[645]

Yeah, They probly are going to arbitration or they likely will wait to the last minute to sign him.

[645]

The Brewers and Tony Graffanino agreed to a one-year contract on Friday, thus avoiding arbitration. Graffanino was acquired from the Royals on July 26 for left-hander Jorge De La Rosa.

Brewers

[645]

The Brewers avoided salary arbitration with Tony Graffanino today, signing the veteran infielder to a one-year deal for $3.25 million.

The agreement came at the midpoint of the figures filed by the sides earlier in the week, just as left-hander Chris Capuano did on Wednesday. Graffanino, 34, filed for $3.7 million, with the Brewers offering $2.8 million.

JSONLINE

[645]

The Milwaukee Brewers today signed infielder Tony Graffanino to a one-year deal.


No financial terms were disclosed. With the signing, the sides avoided arbitration.

Press Gazette

[645]

MILWAUKEE -- Infielder Tony Graffanino and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed Friday to a $3.25 million, one-year contract, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing.

The 34-year-old hit .280 last season with two homers and 28 RBIs in 236 at-bats, then became a free agent. He was offered salary arbitration by the Brewers on Dec. 1 and accepted the offer six days later, making him a signed player.

ESPN

[Hellwig]

Wow! The money we are paying back-ups right now is unreal. I am hoping trades come very soon. We are paying six (That's counting Mench/Jenkins one of which will be a starter if we don't make a trade) back-ups fielders almost 23 million. That's one-third of the teams total salary. While the starters at those positions are only expected to make half of that. That's nice we have a deep bench in case of injuries but we need to turn those guys into everyday improvements or pitching help.