It's Arbitration for Cabrera

"You say neither, I say neither, let's call the whole thing off..."

Ok, not as poignant if you can't actually hear the words being said, but neither (or neither!) is this whole arbitration process. I have to admit, as a fan, this is a look-the-other-way situation. Especially when it comes down to one of your favorite players and the management of your favorite team. It's like a big fight between your parents, it leaves no one as the winner.

Yet, here it is, Miguel wants $7.4M and the Marlins are only willing to offer $6.7M at this point. The difference is only 700K, and when you are talking about figures this high, that is only (at most) a 9% difference. And that is what seperates the two sides and why arbitration is being called for.

The real question is, is it worth it for the Marlins to get cheap with their best player and arguably, one of the best talents in all of Major League Baseball?

I mean, imagine the Yankees in this situation - they lock up Miguel for at least another three years and don't scoff at another 700K. Neither would the Mets, the Red Sox, the Angels, White Sox, Cubs, Cardinals, or practically anyone else not named Pittsburgh or Kansas City.

Yes, 700K is important to the Marlins who don't have deep pockets because of bad revenue as well as limited revenue streams. Not to mention, the owners don't have deep pockets to begin with. This is also the same ownership who has been willing to shell out money before for high risk situations. Like signing Pudge Rodriguez or Al Leiter to deals. The former worked out amazingly, winning a World Series title, the latter - not so much.

This 700K would have shown Miguel immense gratitude. Heck, don't go all the way and offer 7.1M instead at least.

What is even more perplexing is what if the Marlins lose the arbitration case? They will have to pay the 700K they were trying to negotiate out of in the first place. Some might say the reason the Marlins didn't land a CFer, say Shannon Stewart for example, is because of the hold up with this case. The Marlins are really pinching pennies here, trying to make a final push for a stadium.

In the past, I have been very supportive of this ownership group and denying the claims by other cynics of this group. Yet, there is some validity to the shallow pockets the Marlins are being forced to work with. Miguel Cabrera is one of the premier talents in MLB and one of the brightest young talents in all of sports. Here in Miami, we get the privilege to watch Dwyane Wade, Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera develop into superstars and champions. To let any of them go because of a small percentage of money would be foolish.

Of course, the Marlins do control Miguel's contract for another three years.

The feathers have been ruffled already. For the Marlins Fan Fest, there was one noticeable person missing - Miguel. Perhaps it is because he is currently not under contract with the Marlins.

"[Owner] Jeffrey [Loria] and the organization are very disappointed Miguel isn't here," Samson said. "He should have been here with his teammates, there is no question about that. It's a shame for all the fans who wanted to see him."

David Samson should have kept his mouth shut. If anything, the Marlins brass seems schizophrenic at times, straddling the line of goodwill and class and that of brashness. Beinfest seems to have the proper perspective citing this as part of the business and showing no ill-will towards Miguel.

And that is where the criticism will fall for the Marlins: not towards the product on the field, but those who watch over it off the field. The Loria/Girardi situation did not leave a good taste in anyone's mouth. They better not dare make that mistake here with Miguel - he is far too important for this still young franchise.