[« Still chasing the dream....] [Discouraging comment spam »]
01/19/2005: The Rocket Makes History Again....
This time, for filing for arbitration with the Houston Astros, and asking for a MLB record arbitration figure of $22,000,000 (the previous MLB record was $18.5 million, which NY Yankees' shortstop Derek Jeter submitted right before settling for his 10 year, $189 million deal). The facts I find interesting are that 1) Clemens is asking for a mind-boggling pay raise (he led the 'stros to the NLCS for a mere $5 million last season; if he wins the arbitration case that represents a 440% pay raise if I'm doing the math correctly), and 2) Houston's already offered him a club record 13.5 million.
For those of you who aren't aware of the rules, if the case goes to arbitration (the Astros and Clemens can settle at any time prior to the arbitration hearing, IIRC), the arbitrator must choose between the Astros' figure and Clemens's figure; the rules specifically forbid the arbitrator from splitting the difference as a compromise figure. In theory, this encourages parties to the arbitration to submit reasonable salary figures, since they run the risk of losing if they submit an unreasonably high or low figure.
Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?
--Robert Browning
Len on 01.19.05 @ 08:36 AM CST
