Greetings,
Three questions about arbitration...
1. If a guy is arb-eligible, but you don't want him, can you release him before the arb hearing and not owe him anything?
2. My understanding is if you go to arbitration in the Year 5 season, the player will, for sure, test free agency next season. When a new season rolls, if the Player Card says 4 years of ML time, then this year is Year 4 and you're safe doing arbitration instead of a long-term deal, correct? Or does it mean he already has 4 years, this is Year 5, and you better do a long-term deal now if you want to keep him?
3. Is it correct that there is no downside to doing arbitration in Years 3 and 4...that the player doesn't hold a grudge or have a performance dip, correct?
Thanks, as always, for the help and advice!