WANG'S ARBITRATION HEARING GOES RIGHT FOR BOMBERS
By GEORGE A. KING III
February 16, 2008 --
TAMPA - Chien-Ming Wang's quiet personality dictates he won't allow
losing at the arbitration table to affect his pitching. However, if Wang
gets off to a slow start, he can expect to hear that as the reason.
After Wang participated in the first day of spring training yesterday
at Legends Field with a bullpen session, the Yankees' best pitcher
across the last two years discovered a trio of arbitrators had ruled
in the Yankees' favor. Wang's representatives and Yankees officials
presented their cases in a marathon hearing Thursday in St. Petersburg.
Wang went 19-7 with a 3.70 ERA in 30 games and was paid $489,000 last year.
He requested $4.6 million and the Yankees countered with the $4 million
offer that was accepted. The $4 million represents the highest salary
arbitration award for a first time eligible starting pitcher.
"We haven't [gone to arbitration] since 2000 with Mariano Rivera,"
said club president Randy Levine, who presented the Yankees' case.
"However, when the agents and players demand is disproportional to
the market, we have to go."
Wang was OK with the verdict, according to his agent.
"He is fine,'' Alan Nero said. "He was prepared. It's a business, we
move forward and he is excited about the season."
Because it was a $600,000 difference, many insiders were surprised the
sides didn't reach a middle ground and avoid having Wang hear negatives
about what has been a solid career (46-18) outside of October's ALDS vs.
the Indians, in which he was rocked in two starts.
"Based on where the market is there is no room to go higher,'' GM Brian
Cashman said. "The mid-point made no sense. We filed and we defended it."
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