The Giants will likely not offer Ross arbitration.
Co-dy! Co-dy! Co-dy!
Maybe that should read Co-”D,” Co-”D,” Co-”D”?
Today is D-Day for San Francisco outfielder Cody Ross. By 9:00 pm (PT) tonight, the Giants must make a decision on whether or not to offer arbitration to Ross, who made $6.3 million last year.
Pat Burrell and Carlos Beltran are also on the list, but Burrell has all but announced his retirement and Beltran has a special clause in his contract that prevents the Giants from protecting him through arbitration).
Ross became a fan favorite in San Francisco (especially with the ladies — my wife included) when he nearly single-handedly launched the Giants past the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2010 NLCS, hitting .350 with 3 HR and 3 doubles in the six-game series. He blasted home runs against Atlanta (NLDS) and in the World Series against Texas, too.
When my son and I went to the game where they gave away Cody Ross Bobbleheads, my wife made me give her mine. She keeps it on her night stand.
But all good things come to an end, and Ross’ days with the Giants may be nearing its epilogue. After a resurgent 2010 season (.269/.322/.413, 28 doubles, 14 HR, 65 RBI), the 30-year old outfielder — like many of his Giants teammates — fell to Earth in 2011. He hit just .240 last year, starting the season on the DL with a calf injury and concluding it on the shelf with a hamstring injury.
If the Giants do not offer Ross arbitration tonight, they can still negotiate with him. But they would lose their exclusive negotiating rights with him until next May. And, more importantly, they wouldn’t receive a draft pick compensation if he were to sign with another team.
Do the Giants offer him arbitration and hope he declines, just so they can get the compensatory pick? It’s unlikely that Ross would decline (he has said he wants to come back to SF), but it sure is an interesting dilemma.
Truth be told, the Giants will likely not offer Ross (who has a hair over six years of service time) arbitration tonight. Which would be their way of saying, “buh-bye.” Melky Cabrera practically sealed that deal.
If I’m right, and he’s not offered arbitration, Ross will be free to look around. Another team (A’s? Twins?) would surely sign him instead (and at much less than the $6.3 million he made in 2011).
And that would be the end of Cody’s days as a Giant. Short, but sweet.
If Ross does indeed walk, I want to say right now, “Thanks Cody!” for helping us win the World Series, and for making my wife an even bigger Giants fan.
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