The arbitration process is one of the weirdest parts of the baseball offseason, but it is something that everyone accepts. This year, the Yankees and Dellin Betances were separated by $2 million when they exchanged salary figures, so they went to a trial.
Yankees president Randy Levine antagonizes Dellin Betances and agent, for some reason
Sunday’s Say Hey, Baseball includes Randy Levine making inexplicable comments about Dellin Betances, the Pirates’ boring offseason, and Mike Trout’s goal for 2017.
Again, it’s sort of weird to go to a trial with your best players, but whatever. It happens. The Yankees won the trial on Saturday, and that’s the end of things, right? Betances is a little upset he won’t make as much as he feels he deserves, but everyone can move on with their lives. Well, not if Randy Levine has anything to do with it. Levine had some choice words for his star reliever, including insulting him for having the gall to ask for $5 million.
It’s strange enough that the team’s president who isn’t exactly qualified to be making baseball decisions is taking part in arbitration hearings, but to make these comments after his side won is truly bizarre. Betances and his agent, unsurprisingly, were not going to take this lying down. While his agent was sure to mention that they still have a good relationship with New York’s front office, they were clearly hurt by Levine’s comments. You can see for yourself from their quotes in the linked piece.
Betances is under team control with the Yankees through 2020, so they do have some time to repair this relationship. While the reliever is understandably upset with his bosses, these types of situations can be easily swept aside when the team is winning. With that being said, Levine at the very least cost the Yankees a lot more in the long run if/when they decide to re-sign Betances. The righty made it clear this has changed his future outlook on free agency.
- The Pirates still look like they should be contenders in 2017, but their winter was impossibly boring.
- Yoan Moncada’s son is only two years old, but he’s bat flipping like he’s 10 times that age.
- New Jersey governor Chris Christie had some things to say about the Phillies. The team’s twitter account didn’t let it slide.
- Mike Trout says he wants to steal 40 bases in 2017. So watch out, baseball. Mike Trout is probably about to steal 60 bases in 2017.
- Despite Andrew Miller being in the conversation of best reliever in baseball, he still won’t be Cleveland’s closer.
- The Cubs could have three starting-caliber catchers next year. How do they work out the playing time?
- Zack Wheeler hasn’t pitched since 2014, but he’s getting closer to throwing off a mound at least.
- Manny Machado is one of the best young players in the league, but he and the Orioles still haven’t discussed an extension.
- Adrian Beltre suffered a calf strain. It shouldn’t affect his Opening Day status, but he may have to skip out on the World Baseball Classic.
- In the most Padres move of all time, they have signed Jered Weaver. Feel the excitement, San Diego fans.
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