Pick a Number, any Number

We're heading towards the end of January, which means its time for those little nasty meetings called arbitration hearings. Agents usually advise their clients not to attend so they don't hear the bad things that management says about them.

Wilson Betemit avoided arbitration by agreeing last week to a 1-year, $1.165 million deal. That's a bump of three-quarters of a million dollars. In the meantime, representatives for Chien-Ming Wang, Robinson Cano, and Brian Bruney have submitted their arbitration figures and the Yankees have countered with their offers. Here's how it shakes out.

Chieng-Ming Wang Wants: $4.6 million
Yankees: $4 million
2007 Salary: $489,500

Our Take: Considering Wang has won 19 games in back-to-back seasons, we don't see his playoff meltdown impacting his salary. We think he should be awarded the higher figure. Obviously we'd like to see the two sides compromise at $4.3 and avoid the hearing.

Robinson Cano Wants: $4.55 million
Yankees: $3.2 million
2007 Salary: $490,800

Our Take: This is a tough one. Cano started the season horribly, but then had a huge 2nd half. Because of that split, we think the Yankees will win the arbitration hearing, so again we'd like to see a compromise and a pre-arbitration contract.




Brian Bruney Wants: $845,000
Yankees: $640,000
2007 Salary: $395,545

Our Take: Dude, seriously. You stunk last year. And ERA of 4.68 and 37 walks in 50 innings pitched. The Yankees will win this one in a cake walk.