"Line in the sand"?

[pravata]

Why?

"Our goal was to get negotiated settlements," Wade said. "It's in the best interest of everybody involved, but in this process, there are differences of opinion, and that's why the process (arbitration) is in place."
Link

Chip Bailey of the Chronicle's Fan Blog met Assistant GM Dave Gottfried at the Caravan stop in Baton Rouge and gets this information regarding the hearings,

(he)...said the decision to draw a line in the arbitration sand actually pre-dates GM Ed Wade.

"Tal and Tim had talked about it previously," Gottfried said  "Tal revisted it again this year and we all kicked it around. I would be in favor of doing it again."

"You get to a point where you've said all you can say. They've made a strong case with us and we with them. We're at a stalemate." He said continued negotiation wouldn't have "changed anything".
Link

Where they looking for a fight?

[MusicMan]

Penny wise, pound foolish.

[pravata]

Penny wise, pound foolish.

I almost get that, they're determined to hold down costs.  These two players might not be the place to do it but maybe that's where they saw an opportunity.  But to have talked about wanting (?) arbitration hearings last year, and creating a deadline 9 days before the hearing?  Did they have a strategy to encourage a hearing?

[S.P. Rodriguez]

I don't know, Valverde makes sense as he's asking for a near 200% increase.  Loretta doesn't make much sense to me.  Then again, the Astros may not have expected for him to earn the bonus money that pushed him up to 3.7 (approx.). 

Either way, Valverde and Loretta better acquaint themselves with Tal Smith's background/history because he will be prepared.

[OldBlevins]

I don't see how the Astros can win the Loretta hearing, if it actually goes to hearing.

[pravata]

I don't see how the Astros can win the Loretta hearing, if it actually goes to hearing.

Asked if he would continue to negotiate with the players agents in the days leading up to the hearing dates, Wade gave an emphatic "no."
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=104809.0

[The Spleen]

The real fun starts when Mullah McClane resumes the Slot Jihad this June...

[OldBlevins]

Asked if he would continue to negotiate with the players agents in the days leading up to the hearing dates, Wade gave an emphatic "no."
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=104809.0

I see the point of sticking to your word, but the whole approach seems kinda screwed up to me.

[astrox]

Color me dumb, but why wasn't Valverde's deal done when he was signed?

[strosrays]

Color me dumb, but why wasn't Valverde's deal done when he was signed?

Just guessing the main reason he was available at all was the Adders didn't have a deal with him done, and didn't want to pay what they figured he would get in arbitration.

It does seem a little odd to trade for a guy and then go hard line on him, though.

[mihoba]

I don't see how the Astros can win the Loretta hearing, if it actually goes to hearing.

Loretta is asking to double his base salary from last year. His overall worth is not reflected very well in statistics, so Tal has a good case IMO. I'm guessing the Astros expected he would decline arb, so when he accepted the Astros made an offer that was a slight increase in base salary.

If the starting lineup stays healthy, he won't have near the playing time this year.

[Snake]

Is it true that if Valverde's case goes to arbitration he can become a free agent after this season? I heard that on the radio, and I'm hesitant to trust it.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

The real fun starts when Mullah McClane resumes the Slot Jihad this June...

I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

[MusicMan]

Is it true that if Valverde's case goes to arbitration he can become a free agent after this season? I heard that on the radio, and I'm hesitant to trust it.

He cannot be a FA until after 2009.

Edit: unless the Astros decline to offer him arbitration after this season, i.e., only if he blows out his arm at the end of the year and is out for 2009.