2015 NATIONAL BASEBALL ARBITRATION COMPETITION

Transcription

1 2015 NATIONAL BASEBALL ARBITRATION COMPETITION Arizona Diamondbacks v. Mark Trumbo Submission on Behalf of Arizona Diamondbacks Midpoint: $5,900,000 Submission by Team: 5

2 Table of Contents I. Introduction and Request for Hearing Decision... 3 II. Quality of Mr. Trumbo s Contribution to the Team in III. Length and Consistency of Career Contribution... 5 IV. Existence of Physical and Mental Defects...6 V. Past Compensation VI. Comparative Salaries of Equivalent Players VII. Recent Performance of Club..10 VIII. Summary and Conclusion. 10 Team 5- Arizona Diamondbacks 2

3 I. Introduction and Request for Hearing Decision This brief analyzes the assets and contributions of outfielder and first baseman Mark Trumbo (the Player or Mr. Trumbo ) to be reflected in his 2015 contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks ( the Club or the Diamondbacks ). This arbitration hearing is governed by the Major League Baseball ( MLB ) Collective Bargaining Agreement ( CBA ). The CBA establishes that the following criteria shall be considered in determining the player s salary: (1) the quality of the Player s contribution to his Club during the past season including, but not limited to, his overall performance, special qualities of leadership and public appeal; (2) the length and consistency of his career contributions; (3) the record of the Player s past compensation; (4) comparative baseball salaries; (5) the existence of any physical or mental defects on the part of the Player; and (6) the recent performance record of the Club. 1 Mr. Trumbo has reached years of MLB service, entitling him to a second-time arbitration eligible. 2 Mr. Trumbo is a valued and respected member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and has shown remarkable power at the plate and defensive skill; however, the Club has concerns with his tendency to record a high number of strikeouts, low batting average, and being injury-prone. The evidence of his past performance and future potential presented in this brief and in oral argument demonstrates that Mr. Trumbo is fairly entitled to a salary below the $5,900,000 million midpoint between his offer and that of the Club. The Diamondbacks respectfully request that this panel find that he is entitled to a 2015 salary arbitration award of $5,400,000. II. Quality of Mr. Trumbo s Contributions to the Club in 2014 Mr. Trumbo s 2014 season was unfortunately stalled by injury and extended time on the disabled list. Due to a Metatarsal Stress Fracture in his left foot, he was placed on the 15-day 1 MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement, Article VI, Section E, Part 10 (a)-(b) 2 Sports Reference, LLC. Team 5- Arizona Diamondbacks 3

4 disabled list on April 22 nd through July 11th. 3 This injury is linked to overcompensating on the left foot when dealing with Plantar Fasciitis, which was discovered during spring training of In addition, Mr. Trumbo has experienced a similar injury during the 2011 season when a stress fracture occurred in his right foot. This caused Mr. Trumbo to rehabilitate and heal over a 5-month period. Despite these injuries Mr. Trumbo did show a fair number of plate appearances for the team in TABLE SEASON PA R H 2B HR BB SO SB AVG. OBP In addition to the left foot injury that undoubtedly contributed to Mr. Trumbo s down year at the plate, defensively he did not make many noteworthy contributions as the starting left fielder. In his limited playing time Mr. Trumbo managed to rank fourth in Assists for National League left fielders totaling 5 Assists. Overall, the Club was pleased with his contributions defensively but justifiably disappointed by his reduced offensive numbers, strikeouts, and time missed due to injury. Mr. Trumbo has not received any defensive awards throughout his career. Mr. Trumbo did hit for power early in the 2014 season, however struggled to make consistent contact batting just.210 with twenty-two strikeouts before being placed on the disabled list in April. Although his batting numbers improved when returning from the disabled list, his batting average still remained low at.243 with sixty-seven more strikeouts for the remainder of the season. Despite these setbacks one of the highlights of Mr. Trumbo s 2014 season came on a 4-game stretch between April 3 rd and April 6 th when Mr. Trumbo hit a home run in 4 consecutive games totaling 7 RBIs. 3 Mark Trumbo Game-by-Game Statistics, ESPN, 4 Mark Trumbo Season Statistics, Baseball Reference, Team 5- Arizona Diamondbacks 4

5 TABLE MONTHLY STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN* Month AB R H 2B HR BB SO SB AVG. OBP. April July August September *The month of March and June excluded due to lack of significant playing time The Club s main area of concern with the player when healthy is his inconsistent contact numbers, strikeouts, and plate discipline as evidenced last season. Mr. Trumbo recorded a strikeout approximately every four plate appearances, while only walking every thirteen. Almost every walk comes with three strikeouts for Mr. Trumbo. These numbers need to improve for a club that values putting the ball in play and are striving to win another World Series Title. 5 III. Length and Consistency of Career Contribution Although Mr. Trumbo s power numbers and athletic ability to play outfield and first base make him a promising professional baseball player, the Club has not been given one full healthy season to analyze and predict his future production. Although, Mr. Trumbo has shown in prior seasons his All-Star ability in the American League, he has not produced at the same level during his time in the National League. Furthermore, he has not produced strong defensive play or contact consistency over his career. TABLE 3 - CAREER STATISTICAL CONTRIBUTIONS Year PA R H 2B HR RBI BB SO SB AVG. OBP YRS Arizona Diamondbacks Team Statistics, Baseball Reference, Team 5- Arizona Diamondbacks 5

6 Mr. Trumbo finished runner-up in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in Mr. Trumbo was selected as an AL All-Star in 2012 finishing the season with 32 home runs, 95 RBIs, and 146 hits. However, the Club would prefer to gather more statistics and would like to see an improvement in plate discipline to produce the expected return on their investment in the player. The Diamondbacks believe in Mr. Trumbo s potential after conducting a three team trade in 2013 to land Mr. Trumbo, but this belief is based on projection and not hard statistical data, making him a less reliable investment as a player. In the short amount of time the club has had to evaluate Mr. Trumbo, they have seen the power hitter they knew they were getting when they traded for him. However, with Mr. Trumbo s contact inconsistency, and this being his second major injury during his career, it is yet to be determined the impact Mr. Trumbo will make for the Club. IV. Existence of Physical and Mental Defects Early in his career, Mr. Trumbo experienced a similar stress fracture injury to his right foot at the end of the 2011 season that needed over 5 months to heal. 7 Most recently, after experiencing Plantar Fasciitis in his left foot, Mr. Trumbo sustained a Metatarsal Stress Fracture in his left foot. This foot injury caused Mr. Trumbo to miss a significant amount of the season landing on the disabled list from April 22 nd to July 11 th, missing a total of 71 games. Therefore, his health, durability, and longevity are major factors the Club has considered in the analysis of his value. 6 Mark Trumbo, Baseball Reference, 7 Mark Trumbo, ESPN, Team 5- Arizona Diamondbacks 6

7 V. Past Compensation Prior to last season, Mr. Trumbo has been compensated near the league minimum while playing for the Los Angeles Angles. Last season, Mr. Trumbo who was first-time arbitration eligible, earned a higher compensation for his high performance during the beginning of his career. The subsequent boost in salary in 2013 shows the Club s high level of interest they have invested in Mr. Trumbo, as well as their commitment to bringing in top quality players to help the Club win championships. TABLE 4 8 -PAST COMPENSATION Year Age Salary $414, $500, $540, $4,800,000 VI. Comparative Salaries of Equivalent Players For the purpose of establishing Mr. Trumbo s value to the Club, it is useful to compare his career and platform season statistics with those of fellow outfielders Matt Joyce, Nelson Cruz, and Shin-Soo Choo. a. Matt Joyce (2013 Platform Season, Earned $3,700,000) TABLE 6 Matt Joyce (OF) SALARY: $3.70 MILLION PA H BB SO 2B HR AVG. OBP. Matt Joyce, Age years of service Platform (2013) Career Mark Trumbo, Age years of service Platform (2014) Career Mark Trumbo Contract Information, Baseball Reference, Team 5- Arizona Diamondbacks 7

8 Mr. Joyce is an accurate comparison in deciding Mr. Trumbo s salary in Although the players bat differently, both are power-hitting outfielders that have dealt with problems with plate discipline. Both have recorded a high amount of strikeouts per plate appearance, while Joyce has a better rate of base-on-balls. Mr. Joyce has managed slightly more success putting the ball in play and getting on base. In addition, Mr. Joyce has batted more doubles (2B) and holds a significantly higher on base percentage (OBP.). Similarly, both players are former All-Stars, and are within a year apart of MLB service time. Although Mr. Joyce has been mainly an outfielder and designated hitter, he has helped lead his club to multiple postseasons. b. Nelson Cruz (2011 Platform Season, Earned $5,000,000) TABLE 6 Nelson Cruz (RF) SALARY: $5.00 MILLION PA H BB SO 2B HR AVG. OBP. Nelson Cruz, Age years of service Platform (2011) Career Mark Trumbo, Age years of service Platform (2014) Career Mr. Cruz is an intriguing comparison to Mr. Trumbo, as Mr. Trumbo is expected to play right field in Similarly, Mr. Cruz is also a power hitter, his career SLG is.504, whereas Mr. Trumbo has a career SLG of.460. Mr. Cruz was also named an All-Star prior to his platform year being second-time arbitration eligible at an MLB service time of 4.082, which is very close to Mr. Trumbo s amount of MLB service time of During the similar amount of service time, Mr. Cruz has batted a higher batting average, more total hits, base-on-balls, less strikeouts, more doubles, and has had a significantly higher on-base percentage (OBP.) than Mr. Trumbo. 9 Mark Trumbo, 2015 Position Change, Team 5- Arizona Diamondbacks 8

9 In addition, Mr. Cruz had an exceptional platform year hitting 28 home runs, 125 total hits, while maintaining a respectable batting average, and capping off his platform season as being awarded the 2011 AL ALCS MVP. Although, Mr. Trumbo did not have an exceptional platform year, the Club is still willing to compensate Mr. Trumbo at a higher salary than Mr. Cruz earned during his second-time arbitration eligible. c. Shin-Soo Choo (2011 Platform Season, Earned $4,900,000) TABLE 7 Shin-Soo Choo (OF) SALARY: $4.90 MILLION PA H BB SO 2B HR AVG. OBP. Shin-Soo Choo, Age years of service Platform (2011) Career Mark Trumbo, Age years of service Platform (2014) Career Mr. Choo s platform year and career statistics provide another strong comparison to Mr. Trumbo. Similarly, Mr. Choo did not produce an exceptional platform year leading into his second-year arbitration eligible. Mr. Choo who is also a multi-positional player, shows he is more capable of producing a more efficient batting average and higher total amount of hits. Although, he does not hit as well for power as Mr. Trumbo, Mr. Choo has shown his versatility by being able to leadoff, and finished in the top 10 for American League on-base percentage (OBP.) during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Mr. Choo is not only exceptional when analyzing his OBP., Mr. Choo also produces more bases-on-balls than Mr. Trumbo. In 2010, Mr. Choo finished 8 th in the AL with 83 bases-on-balls, and 7 th for intentional bases-on-balls. Furthermore, Mr. Choo has been in contention for Most Valuable Player in the 2010 season leading up to his platform year. Mr. Choo not only has shown consistent strong defensive Team 5- Arizona Diamondbacks 9

10 play in the outfield, he has also recorded 64 career stolen bases compared to Mr. Trumbo s 20 stolen bases. Mr. Choo earned $4,900,000 during his second-time arbitration eligible, which is important to note since our Club has offered Mr. Trumbo $5,400,000. Although the statistics are very similar, our Club recognizes the power Mr. Trumbo brings to the lineup and his overall potential to help lead the Club to a World Series. VII. Recent Performance of Club This past 2014 season the Arizona Diamondbacks failed to reach the playoffs. The Club finished the season at It is the third consecutive season the Club has failed to make the postseason. Our organization has made efforts and transactional moves to help piece together a lineup that will help the ball club improve and put into a position to win. Recently in 2013, the Diamondbacks acquired Mr. Trumbo from the Los Angeles Angels in a three-team trade. The Club traded two strong pitchers out of Hector Santiago and Tyler Skaggs to the Los Angeles Angels, as well as sent Adam Eaton to the Chicago White Sox to make this deal happen. The Club cannot stress enough its goal to contend again in the postseason and bring the state of Arizona another World Series Title. VIII. Summary and Conclusion Overall, during his time in the major leagues, Mark Trumbo has shown that he has the skillset and potential to be a solid Major League Baseball player. The Diamondbacks are appreciative of his contributions to the team during the recent 2014 regular season, and are excited to see Mr. Trumbo continue to grow and develop with hopes that he will help lead the team to a postseason run in the upcoming 2015 season. There are many reasons to be optimistic about Mr. Trumbo s career, hence the substantial raise in pay. His past performance and injuries, however, raises apprehension. Even in his time with the Los Angeles Angels, Mr. Trumbo still Team 5- Arizona Diamondbacks 10

11 struggled to make consistent contact at the plate. When his power numbers are down this becomes a serious burden on the offense. Furthermore, given the dependence on the power hitting game to his productivity, his ability to stay healthy and avoid major injuries is a concern. His feet play a vital role in his capability to perform both offensively and defensively. Although his contact inconsistency, strikeout rate, and health issues raise growing concerns, the Club is still confident in the caliber of player Mark Trumbo brings to the team. The Club is willing to compensate Mr. Trumbo more than those other comparable players who performed at similar or higher statistical levels during their second-time arbitration eligible seasons. Based on the evidence provided in this brief and in oral argument, the Arizona Diamondbacks respectfully request that this panel find the Club s offer of $5.4 million to be an appropriate salary for the 2015 season. Team 5- Arizona Diamondbacks 11