Davis, Murphy, and Parnell File For Arbitration; Scott Hairston to Choose a Team This Week

The MLBPA released last night which Major Leaguers officially filed for arbitration, and three Mets players showed up on the list, as Ike Davis, Daniel Murphy, and Bobby Parnell will all be looking to get a raise. Teams and players have a deadline of this Friday to work out a deal for next year before their case goes to arbitration.

Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog hit it on the head with the organization’s thinking towards these three players for the future. It’s very possible that either Murphy or Parnell will be traded sometime this season to bring back more significant parts in preparation of 2013, so there is little to no chance we’ll New York offer any kind of multi-year deal. The only way Parnell sticks around for the long haul with the Mets is if he proves he truly has the makeup of a closer, which they’ve been trying to figure out for years now. As for Murph, I love him, but he’s one of their most valuable trade pieces, especially now that he has a position to play.

Sep 28, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets right fielder Lucas Duda (21) is congratulated by teammates first baseman Ike Davis (29) and second baseman Daniel Murphy (28) after Duda hit a home run against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Mets defeated the Braves 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

However, as long as Davis continues to progress in his development, he’ll be in the Mets’ long-term plans. Coming off his first 30-HR season, the sky could be the limit for him heading into 2013, but Sandy Alderson can afford to wait before negotiating an extension with their first baseman because any result that comes out of arbitration is thought to be a discount anyway. If Ike comes in and has a great season (which is very possible because he’s completely healthy for the first time in a while), then next winter should be the time to talk about a multi-year deal to buy out the rest of his arbitration years.

All three players made around $500K in 2012, and MLB Trade Rumors is predicting a sizeable jump for each of them if the two sides don’t agree on a deal; Tim Dierkes is projecting salaries of $3 million for Murph, $2.8 million for Davis, and $1.5 million for Parnell.

News was made in the relief market, as Rafael Soriano found a home with the Washington Nationals, as the two sides agreed to a two-year/$28 million deal, which includes a $14 million option for the third year. This signing means Mike Rizzo and the rest of the front office will be losing their first round draft pick to the Yankees as compensation since Soriano rejected their qualifying offer. Danny Ariano briefly gave his reaction on why Mets fans shouldn’t be up in arms about this signing. Now that he’s found a team to pitch for in 2013, the shift in the relief market goes to Kyle Farnsworth, who recently narrowed his list of possible landing spots from six to three. Although the Mets are still in need of bullpen arms, they haven’t been linked to Farnsworth this winter.

As for the outfield, there is once again some things to talk about, but no real action just yet. If you’re still holding onto the dream that Justin Upton could be manning right field in Flushing this season, it’s probably time to give it up. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports tweeted that since New York is unwilling to give up Zack Wheeler in a potential deal, the two sides don’t see a trade working out.

With regard to Scott Hairston, Jim Bowden of ESPN tweeted the free agent should be making his decision this week, and Heyman added the Cubs have been in contact with the outfielder, giving him another option outside of New York. Hairston’s asking price for the Mets was standing at two-years and $8 million, and they’ve countered with one-year/$2 million. I agree with Alderson’s strategy of continuing to wait out Hairston and only offer one year, but low-balling with their offer probably takes them out of the lead. If he decides to sign elsewhere, it wouldn’t be a huge loss for New York, as he’s not the last piece of the puzzle to create a strong outfield, but they could certainly use the extra bat.

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