Angels win arbitration case with Rodriguez

Angels' closer Francisco Rodriguez got his name on the list of players defeated in arbitration this year. KRod was seeking $12.5M, while the Angels offered and won at $10M.

The only player to win his arbitration case, to no surprise, was Phillies' 1st baseman Ryan Howard.

Ryan Howard makes arbitration history

I'm not sure what the Phillies were thinking with this decision, but they decided to go to arbitration with 1st baseman Ryan Howard on Thursday.

Howard made $900k last year, but after hitting .268 with 47 HR's and 136 RBI's last year, he tied Alfonso Soriano for the highest amount ever given to a victorious player after being awared $10M.

The Phillies tried to get something done prior to the hearing, even negotiating right before the start of the hearing. Phillies assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said, “We negotiated right up to the courthouse steps with Ryan in a variety of ways and unfortunately we couldn’t get it done.”

Players headed for arbitration

MLB.com has a list of players that have filed for arbitration but did not come to an agreement with their respective teams.

Among that list is Angels' closer Francisco Rodriguez, Phillies' 1st Baseman Ryan Howard, Orioles' left-hander Erik Bedard, Yankees' right-hander Chien-Ming Wang and Padres' shortstop Khalil Greene.

Arbitration hearings will take place February 1st through the 20th.

Phillies sign Lidge, Madson

The Philadelphia Phillies avoided arbitration with closer Brad Lidge ($6.35M) and reliever Ryan Madson ($1.4M) when they signed both to 1-year deals on Thursday.

The last 2 arbitration eligible players left are 1st baseman Ryan Howard and infielder Eric Bruntlett.