HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 20, 2008) The Astros avoided arbitration with third baseman Ty Wigginton by signing him to a one-year contract worth $4.35 million, plus incentives, on Friday. The club also exchanged salary figures with their four remaining arbitration-eligible players.
Right-hander Dave Borkowski is asking for $1.1 million and the club is offering $750,000, with a midway point of $925,000. Borkowski earned $575,000 in 2007.
Right-hander Geoff Geary is asking for $1.25 million, and the Astros are countering with $950,000. The midway point is $1.1 million. The reliever earned $837,500 last year.
Veteran infielder Mark Loretta is asking for $4.9 million, while the club is offering $2.75 million. The midway point is $3.825 million. Loretta earned $2.5 million after signing as a free agent last year.
Closer Jose Valverde is asking for $6.2 million, with the Astros countering with $4.7 million. The midway point is $5.45 million. Valverde earned $2 million in his first year of arbitration with the D-backs last year.
The Astros will negotiate with the remaining unsigned players in an attempt to find an acceptable middle ground, but in the event they cannot reach an agreement, they'll head to each player's arbitration hearing to strike a deal. Hearings will be held from Feb. 1-20.
The Astros have not had an arbitration hearing with a player since they won their case with Darryl Kile in 1997. General manager Ed Wade, however, said he went to arbitration seven or eight times while he was with the Phillies, and he's not ruling out having to attend hearings this year if need be.
"It's always the desire to [avoid arbitration hearings], but we certainly wouldn't do anything that we thought was imprudent just to avoid the process," he said.
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