Saturday, February 13, 1999
Hudek's agent predicts arbitration win
Says market favors reliever
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Teams have “defeated” players in all four salary arbitration cases that have gone to hearings, but the agent for Reds reliever John Hudek believes he can break that streak if it's intact next week.
Phil Tannenbaum, Hudek's agent, said Friday he's already prepared to argue Hudek's case, especially in the wake of Turk Wendell's $1.2 million settlement with the New York Mets. Hudek and the Reds will collide in a Tampa boardroom next Thursday, barring a compromise.
“The market's out there and it's definitely in John's favor,” Tannenbaum said. “If we go (to a hearing), we will be victorious.”
Hudek filed for a $1.3 million salary, exceeding the Reds' $800,000 offer. Tannenbaum said he has not spoken this week with Reds General Manager Jim Bowden, who has predicted that Hudek's case will require a hearing.
Since arbitration decisions are based largely on comparisons to other players of similar accomplishments and major-league service time, Wendell's settlement could influence what happens with Hudek.
The prospect of facing simi lar comparisons prompted the Reds to avoid an arbitration hearing with outfielder Michael Tucker, who received a $1.6 million contract Tuesday.
Hudek was 5-6 with a 3.09 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 64 innings for the Mets and Reds last year; Wendell was 5-1 with a 2.93 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 77 innings. Hudek's service time is four years and 116 days, slightly exceeding Wendell's four years and 68 days.
“Turk's signing affects the marketplace for non-closing re lievers,” said Tannenbaum, who also has lumped his client with San Diego's Dan Miceli (three years, $4.6 million) and Colorado's Curtis Leskanic (two years, $2.6 million). “We're very pleased with that signing.”
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