Evidently, the Reds have not offered arbitration to shortstop Orlando Cabrera or LOOGY Arthur Rhodes.
Not offering arbitration to Cabrera doesn’t surprise me, but I’m a bit taken aback at the Rhodes decision. They can still up negotiate with either one of the players, and I would hope they will do their best to re-sign Sir Arthur. I surely hope the Dontrelle Willis signing was not in anticipation of this move. (I really don’t think it was, but the Willis signing was quite surprising to most.)
I’m still dismayed that Rhodes did not get to pitch in the all-star game after being selected for the first time as a 40-year-old. That move by Phillies manager Charlie Manuel annoys me almost as much as him not immediately adding Joey Votto to the all-star squad.
Rhodes was 4-4 with a 2.29 ERA in 2010, allowing only 38 hits and striking out 50 in 55 innings over 69 pitching appearances. Cabrera hit .263 in 2010 with four homers, 42 RBI, and a .303 OBP in 123 games.
MLB Trade Rumors also reports that arbitration was not offered to Padres infielders Miguel Tejada and David Eckstein. The Yankees did not offer arbitration to shortstop Derek Jeter either.