Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images(NEW YORK) — The New York Yankees and star relief pitcher Dellin Betances engaged in a verbal battle over an arbitration hearing.
An arbitrator decided in the Yankees’ favor, awarding Betances three million dollars for 2017 instead of the five million he sought. The $5 million request from Jim Murray, Betances’ agent, upset team president Randy Levine.
Levine went on to publicly criticize Murray during a conference call, saying the agent valued Betances as an elite closer instead of a top-tier setup man. He added that Murray made Betances a “victim,” overvaluing him and trying to change the marketplace.
Betances responded to the incident, saying he will “look at it a little differently now.” He added, “free agency will be a little easier when the time comes.” Betances is scheduled to be a free agent in 2020.
Betances doesn’t often pitch in the ninth inning, but often pitches multiple innings in a game and leads all relievers in strikeouts over the past three years.
Elite closers around baseball get paid much more than five million dollars a year: Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman is making over $17 million this season.
ESPN reports Betances will instead get the highest amount for a first-year arbitration eligible setup man in baseball history.
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