Mike Hoffman, a restricted free agent this summer, has until 5:00 PM to officially file for salary arbitration.
Based on everything we’ve heard in the last 24 hours, it certainly sounds like that’s the route he plans on going. While some fans are pointing to this latest move as indication of a dispute between the two sides, it really isn’t.
It’s a normal step in a negotiation where both sides are trying to use every bit of leverage they have.
From Hoffman’s perspective, it’s a no-brainer. While he obviously doesn’t want a one year deal, he knows that if his case was to go to arbitration, he’d walk away the winner. Last year an arbitrator awarded Hoffman just $2 million. This time it could be north of $5 million.
That’s his leverage as an RFA one year out from unrestricted free agency.
Meanwhile, on the organization’s side of things, they know Hoffman’s preference is for a long term deal and while arbitration will be an option for Hoffman if he doesn’t get what he wants, there’s some risk in that for the player. While it’s tempting to look a year ahead to July 2017 and see dollar signs, it’s also tough to walk away from guaranteed money this summer.
Decrease in production. Injuries. A lot can happen in 12 months.
So while arbitration officially becomes an option once Hoffman files later today, it’s not really an ideal scenario for either side.
Concerns about possible tension in the talks are legitimate but to this point, neither side is giving the sense that this thing has gone off the rails. Dorion has remained optimistic throughout and both sides have kept things in the “cone of silence”. It’s a great sign that none of this is unfolding in the media.
Hoffman may have been frustrated with the organization in the past but with Guy Boucher now in the picture, it certainly seems like both sides are interested in finding common ground.
We all knew this negotiation was going to be a tricky one and clearly there’s still a ways to go. Everything I’ve heard to this point suggests it’s progressing well. No need to panic.
Yet…
