News on Two Members of the 2008 Salary Arbitration Hearing Group - Francisco Rodriguez and Mark Loretta

As noted in Gabe Feldman's earlier post today, Francisco Rodriguez has reached a three-year, $37 million agreement with the New York Mets to bring the closer from Anaheim to New York. Rodriguez, who set a Major League record last year with 62 saves, went to a hearing last year and lost when his panel (Stephen Goldberg, Elizabeth Neumeier, Steven Wolf) chose the Angels’ figure of $10 million instead of his request for $12.5 million. According to Anthony DiComo for MLB.com, Agent Paul Kinzer was hoping for a five-year, $75 million contract for Rodriguez. The general economic condition and the number of free agent closers on the market worked against Kinzer and Rodriguez.

Another hearing player from last year who is close to signing this week is Mark Loretta. According to an AP story in USA Today, Loretta will sign a one-year deal with the Dodgers. Last year Loretta sought $4.9 million from the Astros, but his panel chose the team’s figure of $2.75 million. Loretta played in 101 games in 2008, his lowest total since his 2000 campaign with the Brewers, and he posted a batting average of .280. Loretta will be entering his 15th season next year with a career batting average of .297. He played all four infield positions last year for Houston. He will be returning to his native state of California. Loretta was born in Santa Monica in 1971.

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