Yesterday’s arbitration decisions should have a serious effect on several Free Agents’ desirability. Several players who might have scared teams with their Type A or B status will now only cost money and not draft picks – chiefly Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu, and Kerry Wood. I think Dunn and Wood should now become great gets. From a Mets perspective, I would now value Wood as the premier closer on the market, presuming the team could also sign a middle reliever of the Brandon Lyon / Joe Beimel variety, although all rumors suggest the Mets are focused only on Fuentes and K-Rod. 

More Arb-thoughts

• Dunn – The best power hitter on the market is now a very exciting FA prospect. Yes he plays now defense and K’s a ton, but he’s unbelievably consistent and will provide lots of power. The decision by the D-Backs not to tender Dunn is very questionable, and makes the summer trade with the Reds a terrible deal. 
• Burrell – Dunn’s right-handed counterpart also now becomes more attractive, and even in these economic times, I would question why the Phillies would be scared of, at the worst, one more year of Burrell. 
• Raul Ibanez – Not so sure why he’s getting so much love in the FA market, especially with Type A status. Yes, he has had several solid years, but he’ll be 37 next season and is sure to decline over the length of any multi-year deal. 
• Paul Byrd – Type B FA offered arbitration by the Red Sox. All indications are that Byrd, who made $7.5 million last year is likely to reject arbitration. Paul Byrd thinking he’s worth more than that makes me want to vomit.