In arbitration baseball news this week, the New York Mets are left with five players who will soon become arbitration eligible.  These players include pitchers Mike Pelfrey and Bobby Parnell as well as outfielder Angel Pagan.  Of the five Mets players soon eligible to enter salary arbitration proceedings, Pelfrey is the highest paid in the group.  Oddly enough, Parnell is reported to be the lowest paid but is just as likely as Pelfrey to be offered arbitration.

Arbitration Baseball Not for Everyone

Angel Pagan, on the other hand, is regarded as unlikely to receive an arbitration offer.  This would leave him with the option of signing a new contract with the Mets at what is likely to be a minimal increase in pay.  Alternatively, Pagan may find himself included in a trade to anther franchise.

In all, the players now eligible for arbitration made more than $10 million combined dollars during 2011.  Since Pelfrey is likely to garner a substantial increase in his salary when he goes to arbitration, even if the other four are not with the Mets in the coming year, the cost savings on salary will probably be no more than a few million dollars.

The Mets must also keep in mind that in addition to salary arbitration issues, they also have nine players who will soon become free agents, including Jose Reyes who earned $11 million this season.  Keeping players like Reyes could cost the Mets a considerable amount and may eliminate any savings they realize in arbitration.