Yankees Decline Arbitration Offer To Abreu, All Other FA's

Yankees Decline Arbitration Offer To Abreu, All Other FA's

Ed Price/The Star Ledger:

The Yankees announced they are not offering arbitration to any of their free agents. It means they will not get draft-pick compensation when they sign elsewhere.

A recent rule change means that the Yankees are still allowed to re-sign any of the players.

In the case of Andy Pettitte, the Yankees want him back, but at less than the $16 million he made this year. If the Yankees offered Pettitte arbitration, he could accept it and get a 2009 salary at about the same amount.

As for Bobby Abreu, the Yankees debated on offering him arbitration. But not knowing whether Abreu had long-term offers elsewhere, they didn't want to risk having him accept arbitration, since they are not sure he's worth about $16 million and they are seem committed to Johnny Damon in left field, Xavier Nady in right and Nick Swisher at first base.