Cardinals and Arbitration

1999.

People were worrying about Y2K.  The Yankees were in the midst of a dynasty of sorts.  And it was the last time the Cards went to arbitration.  The Cardinals won that case, so it's likely been much longer since they lost one of these hearings.

This year was no different.  Three players were eligible--Yadier Molina, Rick Ankiel and Todd Wellemeyer.  The latter two settled for a one-year contract, Molina got a long-term deal.

Is it coincidental that this long run of non-arbitration has been one of the more successful periods in Cardinal history on the field?

You'd like to say yes.  You'd like to say that the fact that the Cardinals don't get into mudslinging, as it were, with their players in an arbitration hearing helps build team chemistry and a winning attitude.  Perhaps there is something to that.

(Besides, could you imagine Albert Pujols in an arbitration hearing?  "Yes, we know he's the best hitter out there.  Yes, we know he's won a Gold Glove.  Yes, we know he's possibly the second-best player ever to don a Cardinal outfit.  But he has not cured cancer in his spare time, which is why we are not offering him part-ownership, like he wants.")

However, with the turmoil and squabbling that has pervaded the LaRussa era, starting with Ozzie, more recently with Scott Rolen and now apparently moving on to Adam Kennedy, I don't think you can credit a happy environment to the run of success.  Sure, it probably could have been a lot worse in the clubhouse, and the overall atmosphere has likely been pretty positive, but when the manager and players tend to have it out in the press, it's not all fun and games.

All in all, though, I'm glad that the Cardinals are able to come to terms with their arbitration-eligible players.  It keeps them from being stuck with a contract they really don't want and helps manage the cash flow.  Hopefully they'll be able to do this for many years to come.


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