Eckstein Heads to Arbitration

With a hearing approaching and no progress in resolving the contract impasse between David Eckstein and the Angels, the shortstop said Friday he was prepared to sit in a hearing room and listen as team representatives try to persuade arbitrators that he was not worth the salary he seeks.

Eckstein filed for a $2.15-million salary; the Angels countered at $1.6 million. In the absence of a settlement, a panel of three arbitrators would hear arguments from both sides and then pick one salary or the other. Eckstein said he planned to attend his arbitration hearing, scheduled for Wednesday in Arizona.

“I’ve never been through the arbitration process, but I’ve heard stories,” he said. “No one likes to go through it, but that’s the process that’s been set up. It won’t affect anything on the field whatsoever.”

After an off-season in which the Angels generated so much excitement by spending $146 million on free agents, the reluctance to compromise on a $550,000 difference with their leadoff hitter and one of their most popular players appeared odd.

“I can understand how some fans might think that way,” General Manager Bill Stoneman said, “but it’s really a question of fairness: What is the fair salary for every individual? We’re very comfortable with our number.”

Eckstein was visibly uncomfortable last spring, when the team was coming off a World Series championship but he was not yet eligible for arbitration. The Angels, acting within the rules of the collective bargaining agreement, told him to accept their one offer, at $425,000, or be unilaterally renewed at $400,000. He took the offer.

“That’s the way the system is set up, so your opinion doesn’t matter,” he said then. “Until you’re arbitration-eligible, you have no say.”

Eckstein declined to discuss specific negotiating issues, including whether last year’s contract situation figured into the apparent inability to reach a settlement this year.

“It’s all part of the business,” he said.

The Angels plan to open spring training with Eckstein as the starting shortstop and Shane Halter and Chone Figgins available in reserve. Alfredo Amezaga, the top shortstop prospect, is projected to return to triple-A so he can play every day and stay sharp in case he is needed to replace Eckstein.