Counsell

[DHonks]

Colby, I was thinking.

-We know Counsell wanted to start somewhere.

-We know the Dbacks wanted him back from the moment they traded him.

 

 

Given that the Dbacks weren't going to forfeit their 1st pick, wouldn't it have made sense to offer arbitration? We would have landed a 3rd rounder and a supplemental pick, right? I guess I'm saying that we knew (or at least presumed) that Counsell would return to the Dbacks at all costs. We knew he wanted to start and would likely have rejected arbitration. Did they make they right choice?

[colbyjack]

A few people suggested that we offer Counsell arbitration for those very reasons DHonks. Most people responded pointing out that Counsell likely would have taken the Brewers through the arbitration process, and it wasn't worth the gamble. Those people were probably right, but it is interesting to think about. It's quite possible that Counsell would have called his bluff, and it's also quite possible that teams, including the D-Backs, would have lost interest in signing him because of the draft pick implication.

 

And as a type B FA (I think he was a type B), he would have only cost the D-Backs their 2nd round pick, with no supplemental pick. Which I also thought they might be somewhat willing to do since they own the #1 pick overall and they have the first pick in the sandwich round after losing Richie Sexson (and an early third). If they come close to offering slot value to the players they select, they're going to have a mighty big draft budget.

[mothershipconnection]

Most people responded pointing out that Counsell likely would have taken the Brewers through the arbitration process, and it wasn't worth the gamble. Those people were probably right, but it is interesting to think about.

I was certainly one of those people, as the Brewers had to make a mimimum offer of just under $2.5M, and I'd guess that Counsell doesn't hate riding the pine a bit (JJ isn't likely to play every single game, so he'd have gotten in, at least early on) and living near family so much that he rejects that much as the least he can end up receiving.