Seperate arbitration tiers for SPs and RPs

[Deleted]

Currently, their are 6 pitcher categories for which dollar values are assigned in our year 4-6 arbitration process. These are Wins, ERA, Ks, Hlds, Svs, and WHIP. Each category prices up to $6M for the highest achievers because of the recognition that pitchers will generally only have qualifying stats in 4 of the 6 categories (SPs won't have enough SVs or HLDs to qualify, RPs won't have enough Wins or Ks). This equalizes the scales in relation to hitters, who can accrue up to $4M per category but can qualify in all six. Theoretically, the best hitters will make $24M as they would max out 6 categories at $4M per category and the best pitchers would make $24M as they would max out 4 categories at $6M per category. This structure is bound to be very effective at setting realistic Batter and SP salaries. However, it significantly overprices closers and, especially, elite set-up men as they move into year 4-6 of team control.

Here's a hypothetical.  Let's say Wade Davis had been in year (5/6) in 2014 as a set-up man for the Royals. He would be due $6M for ERA, $2M for Wins(!), $6M for HLDs, and $6M for WHIP for a whopping total of $20M in 2015! Davis's season was historically good, mind you, but that is one heck of a contract, one that is WAY out of line with any RP, and especially any non-closer RP.

I propose we use a different scale for RPs than we do for SPs. If a RP scale topped out at $4M per category, then Davis would be due something like $13M in 2015, still a hefty contract, but closer to being worth the outlay. Additionally, I would propose that any pitcher making more than half of their appearances as a reliever follows the RP scale. The following scale is what I would specifically propose:

Wins...
8-9:    +$1
10-11: +$2
12-13: +$3
14+:   +$4
    -This would be a rare category for any reliever to qualify for, especially 14+

Saves...
10-18: +$1
18-26: +$2
26-34: +$3
35+:   +$4

K's...
120-134: +$1
135-144: +$2
145-154: +$3
155+:     +$4
    -I call this the Chapman tax. Only the most elite RPs will even sniff 120 Ks.

Holds...
7-12:   +$1
13-18: +$2
19-24: +$3
25+:   +$4
    -There were 10 RPs last year with 25+ HLDs, 23 with between 19-24

ERA (min 50 IP)...
< 2.25 :      +$4
2.26 - 2.65: +$3
2.66 - 3.05: +$2
3.06 - 3.45: +$1

WHIP (min 50 IP)...
<1.00 :       +$4
1.01 - 1.06: +$3
1.07 - 1.13: +$2
1.14 - 1.20: +$1

Thoughts?

[Marlins GM (jwl8691)]

I think this is something that should be considered... by no means should a reliever cost a team $20 M.

I think the easiest solution would be to pay 60% of the total if they have 40 or more relief appearances.

Example!

Aroldis Chapman...

Chapman is a (4/6) by our league's standards. Here is a breakdown using the current arbitration scale according to his 2014 stats:

$1 base + $6 (36 SV) + $6 (2.00 ERA) + $6 (0.89 WHIP) = $19 X .5 = $9.5 X .6 (reliever discount) = $5.7 M.
If he has the same type season this year, his salary would increase to $8.6 and then $11.4m.

Let's use Wade Davis too...

Davis a (5/6) by our league's standards. Here is a breakdown of Davis's 2014 with our current scale:

$1 base + $2 (9 wins) + $6 (33 holds) + $6 (1.00 ERA) + $6 (0.87 WHIP) = $21 X .75 = $15.75 X 0.6 (reliever discount) = $9.5.

Also, I think the holds should be adjusted. 18 holds is good, but can be common. I would increase the highest tier of holds to 25 and then decrease it accordingly.

[Deleted]

I adjusted the holds in the tables above. This might be an easier way to approach it. Anything that brings the outrageous contracts down to earth a little.

[Marlins GM (jwl8691)]

I prefer the reliever discount as opposed to another scale.

[Deleted]

I think I do too.