Tim,

Not a problem – it’s always our pleasure to reach out to anyone that takes the time to reach out to us. Communication is a two-way street and it’s important that our fans know that we are responsive and available, especially when it comes to the ballclub and how things are looking for the future.

As for draft picks, we have no way of knowing this, but a scenario that seems plausible is that maybe Players X & Y said they would accept arbitration if offered, so…Team Z responded by not offering it and thereby being freed from an obligation of inflated costs for two players that could be replaced in a more productive manner. They lose 2-4 draft picks, but they’re also free to pursue additions to their roster in a manner they see fit and at a cost that makes the most sense to them.

At the end of the day, nobody really knows, but it’s always interesting to speculate. Enjoy the off-season and give it time to play out…the ballclub is looking to improve on the successes of the past 2 seasons – not regress.

Your friend at Dodger Stadium,
Steve Anguiano || Fan Services || Los Angeles Dodgers || Dodger Stadium || 1000 Elysian Park Ave || Dodgertown, USA 90090 || 2009 NL West Champions

________________________________________
From: Mosa
Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 10:52 AM
To: FanFeedback
Subject: RE: la – Other – Other – arbitration – hudson and wolf

Steve,
I appreciate your reply and what you describe makes sense. I disagree that Hudson will sign in the $10M range, although I could see Wolf getting close to that. In either case, it seems ridiculous that a big market team like LA, which lead the majors in attendance last year, cannot afford to pay $10M for Randy Wolf.

It’s interesting you didn’t mention the 2-4 draft choices we would have received if Hudson and/or Wolf declined arbitration. To me, that’s the biggest mistake of not offering arbitration in this instance.

Thanks again for the reply. I hope the management team does something to restore the faith of the Dodger fans. There are quite a few of us upset at this decision.

Regards,
Tim Mosa

From: FanFeedback [mailto:FanFeedback@ladodgers.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 9:51 AM
To:
Subject: RE: la – Other – Other – arbitration – hudson and wolf

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the email – we appreciate your feedback.

Let me start by saying that it’s easy to understand a fan’s frustration when it comes to off-season transactions. It’s unfortunate that you feel the need to cancel your season seats so early in the off-season, but hopefully my response will make things a bit clearer and afford you the opportunity to reconsider your decision.

Wolf and Hudson, as Type A free agents, would have received contracts in the $10m+/yr range had they been offered arbitration and accepted (using comparable contracts from the last couple of off-seasons such as Derek Lowe/Oliver Perez for Wolf and Brian Roberts/Chase Utley for Hudson) – considering their age, health history and performance…that much per year is probably not the type of contract the ballclub is looking to take on. Something else to consider is that neither player is probably interested in a one year contract from any ballclub after the types of seasons they had. By not offering arbitration, the Dodgers are able to take their time and pursue either player (should their continue to be interest in having them on the ballclub) and offer them a multi-year deal that is more in line with what the team thinks the value of the player is and that will fit into the overall salary structure. The player is also able to get a sense of their worth on the open market and figure out what they feel is the best situation/contract for them. Much like last off-season, when both players were acquired, the idea was to be patient, not overpay for marginal talent and then capitalize on particular situations that afford the club top level talent at a club-friendly price. If a situation presents itself where a player can be had sooner, I’m sure the club will do whatever it takes to lock them up.

While this is in no way an actual explanation for what is occurring, as neither you nor I are privy to the inner workings of Baseball Operations here with the ballclub, it is best to remember that all of these decisions are made with long-range goals in mind and a strategy to address shortcomings on the roster in place. We very well could end up with both players back on the ballclub or even better alternatives – still plenty of off-season to go.

Thanks for your time and please feel free to get back in touch with us should you have any further questions. We hope you reconsider your decision and I’d be happy to speak with you about your account should you still have any trepidations.

Take care and have a healthy and happy holiday season!

Your friend at Dodger Stadium,
Steve Anguiano || Fan Services || Los Angeles Dodgers || Dodger Stadium || 1000 Elysian Park Ave || Dodgertown, USA 90090 || 2009 NL West Champions

________________________________________
From: mosa
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 3:49 PM
To: To Whom It May Concern
Subject: la – Other – Other – arbitration – hudson and wolf

Last Name: mosa

Phone Type: Mobile Phone Number

Subject: arbitration – hudson and wolf

Message:
Dear Mr. McCourt, As a lifelong Dodger fan, your decision to NOT offer arbitration to either Orlando Hudson or Randy Wolf is very upsetting. Had either of them accepted arb, we would fill a need at two open positions, at a market appropriate salary. Had either declined arb, we would have received 2 compensation draft picks for each of them. This decision doesn’t make baseball sense, nor is it financially sound. I will be cancelling my season tickets this season as a result of this decision. If you can’t spend the money on the team, why should I? Regards, Tim Mosa Seal Beach CA

Look, they are disgusting. That’s the only explanation. I’ve never seen anything like this. Even the Tigers- who have made their own dire situation clear to the public- made 2 offers of their Type A’s. And the Rockies, in a far smaller market with less talented pitchers than Wolf, offered TWO of their pitchers arbitration. I could go on, but you get the idea.

This starts and ends with the McCourts, and we must not let them forget it next season.