Emil Brown Wins Arbitration Case

[KCGHOST]

Emil Borwn will get $1.775M next year says an arbitrator instead of the amount the Royals offered ($1.4M). Last year he received $355K. Brown was the Royals RF last year and led the team in rbi's and runs. He will move to LF this season with the acquisition of Reggie Sanders. Brown is, at best, a marginal defender.

Brown at age 30 was given more at bats (545) in 2005 than he had received in his prior major league career (404). He did not play in the majors in 2002-2004. His offensive production last year was totally at odds with his prior major league experience.

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060208&content_id=1308426&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc

[Cironnu]

Basically, he's getting rewarded for the fine season he had last year. He was going to basically get a million dollar raise either way, so the decision really is meaningless.

If he plays well again in 2006, he'll get further rewarded next offseason. If he flops, we can simply non-tender him next year, and let him go. No significant risk here, that I can see.

[KCGHOST]

Basically, he's getting rewarded for the fine season he had last year. He was going to basically get a million dollar raise either way, so the decision really is meaningless.

It doesn't bother you that he rated as the worst RF defensively with the worst throwing arm??

[Cironnu]

It doesn't bother you that he rated as the worst RF defensively with the worst throwing arm??

Well of course I'd PREFER to have a good defensive player out there, but for the time being, I don't see any better alternative. Right now Brown, DeJesus, and Sanders are our top three all around outfielders, with Guiel as the fourth. I -do- put more value on offense than defense, though. I won't tolerate someone in the lineup who can't hit at least a little, unless it's a catcher or middle infielder. The rest of the lineup MUST be able to produce some offense. The best thing is to have guys who can hit AND play defense, but if I can't get both, I'll take the hitter.