The Table Setter, Jan. 12, 2024: Arbitration Record

Gordon: I've read that "multiple reports" say they could be headed to arbitration. How many of the "multiple reports" were people reporting on the original reporting? If they are indeed at $1.25M and $990,000, it seems doubtful to me that they won't settle in the middle. It's a difference of only $260,000, not worth upsetting a player over. 

Mauer: Mauer is approaching lock status for selection. He's at 83.7 percent through 153 ballots, so he's got some cushion in the bank. He only needs to get 69.3 percent the rest of the way. It's pretty rare to have someone drop by 14.4 percent in the public to private comparison. But unlike Ted, I don't think he'll stay close to 84 percent. Though he won't have the PED drop like Pudge, I suspect he'll still have a larger-than-average drop because of the "I don't want to vote for him because he spent too much time at 1b, but I'm not going to admit that publicly" crowd.

2 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

Gordon: I've read that "multiple reports" say they could be headed to arbitration. How many of the "multiple reports" were people reporting on the original reporting? If they are indeed at $1.25M and $990,000, it seems doubtful to me that they won't settle in the middle. It's a difference of only $260,000, not worth upsetting a player over. 

Mauer: Mauer is approaching lock status for selection. He's at 83.7 percent through 153 ballots, so he's got some cushion in the bank. He only needs to get 69.3 percent the rest of the way. It's pretty rare to have someone drop by 14.4 percent in the public to private comparison. But unlike Ted, I don't think he'll stay close to 84 percent. Though he won't have the PED drop like Pudge, I suspect he'll still have a larger-than-average drop because of the "I don't want to vote for him because he spent too much time at 1b, but I'm not going to admit that publicly" crowd.

I'd expect a larger vote drop from the "I dont want to vote for him because its his 1st time on the ballot" crowd

From what I can tell, everyone can be expected to see their vote percentage drop. I've seen a couple of in the know types that think a candidate over 80% when the public ballots are counted has a excellent chance of getting elected. Mauer has done surprisingly well and looks like a lock this year and for sure next year. Helton has gained very little from last year when he came 11 ballots short. Wagner and Sheffield need to get a lot of last-chance votes, even though Wagner has another year. 

I feel comfortable that Mauer will make the HOF.  Gordon will settle for what the arbitrator decides.

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

Longevity is the only possible strike for Mauer but it seems he’s overcoming that in the early vote. His stats glow compared to others at his position as you point out. There is one other catcher prior to Lombardi in 1926 to win the batting title. Mauer has 3 of the 7……pretty good.

Mauer was a catcher for only seven plus years. It appears he is being considered as a catcher and that makes his path much, much easier. Dare I dream of Mauer, Jack, Winnie and Molitor all alive and in the Hall? St. Paul can be proud.

Now that arb is settled, except for Gordon, where does the Twins payroll stand? Even cutting to 125MM they should have 15-20MM to spend, more if they move, Kep, Polo, or Farmer.